Hi everyone. A Question thats been in my mind for a long time.
Say im crusing in 4th. I want to downshift to 3rd so i could take over the car in front. Whats the best way to do it and what are the pros and cons?

How I usually do it: Crusing in 4th, clutch in, put to neutural, clutch out, blip the throttle to the right rpm (not holding down the gas pedal, just a press then let off), clutch in, put into 3rd, cluth out, floor!

BUT!!! Would there be a difference if I do it this way?
Crusing in 4th, cluth in, put into 3rd, rev match ( this is where im concerned: instead of a blip, hold down the gas pedal at the correct rpm), clutch out while gradually increasing gas, and floor it when clutch is fully out.

I have been reading alot of posts and i still have this question in mind.

 

From what I've read around on different websites and such, there's no need to double clutch on newer cars (correct me if i'm wrong), so what I do is cruise, clutch in, put into third while blipping throttle, clutch out floor

 

Thank you for the reply. I was't stating it clear enough in the beginning. I want to add that I am not concerned about the double clutch part. So lets just see it as if I did not double clutch.

So crusing in 4th, clutch in, put in 3rd, blip the throttle (not holding it down but just a quick press to the right rpm), clutch out while not on throttle, floor.

As suppose to: Crusing in 4th, clutch in, put in 3rd, hold the throttle at the right rpm, clutch out while gradually increasing gas, floor when clutch is completely out.

 

Yes, the first one.

"So crusing in 4th, clutch in, put in 3rd, blip the throttle (not holding it down but just a quick press to the right rpm), clutch out while not on throttle, floor. "

At least, that's what I do.

 

The first way. The second way, with the engine holding steady at a certain rpm, the clutch will slip while you let it out.

 

Thank you guys! I have also noticed that the first way gives me a smoother shift. Of course it might just be because of my skill level or im just better with the first way.
But, would the second way give a faster acceleration? Or both are same when done properly?

 

The second way (with the slipping clutch) gets very $$$$....you Will need a clutchfast....
Do the blip...revmatch, or just shift, and let the synro's work....doing it the 2nd way will trash the clutch. Simple.

 

wow, really?

I've been driving manual transmissions for decades, literally... i've never had a problem or encountered premature wear by

Clutch in, move gearshift from 4th to 3rd (or whatever gear change), depress throttle bringing rpm's up to "matching", release clutch quickly while adding on throttle.

The clutch is just fine... a gearchange should be happening in the blink of an eye.

edit: when you upshift you're slipping the clutch... when you take off you're slipping the clutch... that's exactly what the clutch is designed to do

 

Good point! Doesnt the cluth also slip a little even when you just blip the throttle? Lets keep this thread going because I want to explore more on this. So do you know the difference between the two methods or is there no difference? Pros and cons of each method?

 

Nobody has asked the obvious first question: Why cruise in 4th gear? If the answer is a need for tactical torque in heavy traffic or more rapid engine deceleration OK, but...

+1 on revmatch. No need to double clutch a full synchro gear box.

 

Cruising in 4th because im going at around 35-45 mph. Why ask this question? I dont think its relevent at all. I could be asking for 6th to 5th. Or 5th to 4th. Or 4th to 3rd. Or 3rd to 2nd....

So do you have any input for the topic? What are your thoughts? How do you downshift accelerate? Pros and cons? These are the concerns I have. Thanks.

 

i know the difference... what's your question? You're double clutching like if you had a non synchronized, or poorly synchronized transmission, which is unnecessary.

Blipping the throttle is more for when you're going to downshift but you're not going to roll on the throttle immediately, like if you're slowing for a turn... you're blipping the throttle to raise RPM's so the change isn't jerky, and then you're letting the engine continue to engine brake before you get on the throttle...

like slowing down and downshifting before a turn, and then throttling out of a turn

 

How about this?

Ease into the throttle a little while in 4th - just enough to cause the revs to rise for the next lower gear while the shift happens, and then

Do the shift - 4th to 3rd - just clutch in and change, no hurry. Takes about 2-3 tenths of a second to get there in a graceful way.

While the clutch is in, the revs will rise the 1-1.5k you need depending on where in the speed range you are.

When the clutch comes out, you get a smooth shift and can immediately open the throttle fully.

I do double clutch on a gear skip (4th to 2nd, 5th to 3rd) but with a nice close ration box like the Getrag I don't bother on adjacent gears unless the transmission is dead cold.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

you really don't need to double clutch any modern gearbox, cold or hot, even when shifting from 6 to 2 (if you so choose)... the synchronizers are fantastic at their job. Just be gentle and give them time to work when cold, not slamming gears with bodybuilder strength

 

Okay thanks. I understand that its not necessary. Im trying to figure out whether i should just blip the throttle or do it the way you mentioned. And trying to see the differences between the two method. In other words, the pros and cons of each method.

 

Best thing I've read all day but yeah go with the latter in the original post and you'll be fine. When I feel like having a quick burst through traffic in a 45mph speed zone I've been known to go from 2 to 5 and the gearbox doesn't care at all.

 

Holy crap what's wrong with you all?

You are cruising in 4th. Fine. You want to shift to 3ed and accelerate. Fine.

Shift to 3ed and get on with it... No need to do anything out of the ordinary. You aren't attacking any twisties, you aren't on a track, trail braking isn't an issue... No need to double clutch, no need to rev match, just get on with it. It's called driving.

 

Even in my old '89 Mustang 5.0 ragtop, all you had to do to change gears while driving was: depress clutch, change gears, let off the clutch, accelerate (or not). Regardless of direction. In fact, that car was so fast the I often skipped 3rd and went straight from 2nd to 4th when I hit the speed limit, and there were no issues.

Seems like this shouldn't be a complex topic with a modern car.

 

it can still be a fine art though...

:-)

Charlie

 

Don't make such a production out of it! Keep your foot on the throttle, don't lift - when you depress the clutch the revs will rise and by the time you shove into the lower gear the match will be perfect. Works like a treat every time - try it.

 

I took notice of what I did while downshifting today, nothing different from upshifting. You just have to give it a bit more gas so the revs match when you let the clutch out. If you do it right you won't notice the clutch actually engaging (either up or down shifting).