Learn to heel-toe or rev match, then going into first gear will be smooth.

 

That too, . Rev-matching period would work in this case, as it's unlikely there's a need to simultaneously brake while downshifting unless they're driving aggressively or on a track.

 

Yes double clutch/heel and toe downshifting will cure all probs and increase the life of your shift forks, synchros, dog teeth slots on your shift hubs and the dog teeth of your gears.

Jeremy

 

I'm glad I asked!

 

Yes, lugging is a no-no. I should mention that I'm speaking of a Prince Cooper engine....it seems to be much more content cruising at just over 2K rpms than my R50 was. Didn't want to give any wrong impressions about using 6th.

 

wow! this is amazing. thank you. i will start shifting at 2500 to 3k then i guess. please tell me more about it, is there any more forums about skipping gear and mpg and whatnot, thank you! : )

 

My advice is to shift into 6th when you have reached your top speed -- any top speed 30 or higher will do. You know you're too slow for 6th when the engine lugs. If it starts to lug (feels balky), downshift to 5th.

Like some have commented, I rarely use 5th gear. You can easily skip from 4th to 6th, at least in a MCS.

Oh, one more thing, don't worry too much about the "gear thing." Go out and drive, and I think you'll discover that everything will sort itself out.

Happy motoring!

 

guilty of lugging here. thought i was actually saving gas.

during city driving, i upshift @ 2k RPM. so i guess i better upshift a bit later then

 

Yep. 5th seems too low for many speeds, too high for many speeds.... so unless I need to cruise at ~50 (on a few roads around here with 45mph limit), its 1-2-3-4-6.

I found this thread when contemplating starting my own thread called "I skip 5th".

 

Check out this thread on shifting. It's been very helpful and interesting to me.

North American Motoring > MINIs in General > General MINI Talk > Shifting