How do you drive your manual? What I want to know is, for the majority of your driving time (not on a race track for example), how do you shift?

How high do you wind it before shifting to the next gear?

What's your preferred RPM for cruising?

Do you double clutch and / or Match RPMs on the downshift? I know that this is not necessary on modern transmissions, but its always fun, I think...

 

In the first two gears I'll wind her to 4-4.5 RPM in normal driving, the rest of the gears, what ever feels necessary for the driving situation. I have always shifted up and down the full pattern of gears, always trying to match RPMS on the downshifts.

I've always had standard shift vehicles and can't imagine driving without the challange of making the "perfect" shift !

_________________
Pepper White Cooper,
Black Top & Mirrors,
Sport Seats, Fog Lights,
8 Spoke wheels, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Proud Member of North American Motoring.com

 

I shift at around 4k and cruise at 3k. I had read that our engine is at max effic at 3k. Gave it a try and SHONUFF! So it is written so shall it be done.

Can I get an AMEN

 

Though it's certainly not necessary, I almost always try to get to between 5 & 6k before shifts. My Remus exhaust sounds so much better that way, it's addictive.

 

I like to shift around 5,000 rpm. Not great for fuel economy, but feels very nice. Try driving in 3rd gear at 5,000 rpm--good for up to 70mph. Everytime you step on the gas, you'll feel the acceleration. On the freeways, I prefer 4th gear around 4,000 rpm, unless I got the wife in the car, or I want to save gas, then it's 5th gear at 3,000 rpm.

But to be totally honest, I'm not exactly sure of my actual speeds cause I can't see the numbers on my speedo past 40 mph! I got the nav.
_________________
Octane Guy

 

I rarely look at the tac...
I shift by.... the "feel" of the car...and the "sound" of the engine.
Been driving a stick for close to 35 years.

Peace,
D

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I own a 2002 MCS w/ alot of stuff on it.

 

I guess at "norm" (mello) i'm between 2 and 3. I double clutch when at or above that - A long clutch sometimes at and mostly below. Synchromesh is a convenience I try not to rely on. I 'd sooner screw up my clutch. On downshifts it's always a good blip to match. Usually on a double clutch on the downswing but lately sometimes on a slow clutch on the way up.

I had good fun going clutchless one afternoon, but the tranny didn't enjoy it much. It's a great way to nail the insertion points.

I LOVE the Getrag!

_________________

 

Typically, I shift at around 5000 rpm in first, second, and third gear if I am taking it easy and if there is nobody slow in front of me.

For "spirited" driving, I'll take it closer to redline.

My favorite move is accellerating onto the interstate, shifting close to redline in 1st and second, and then shifting from 3rd directly to 6th once I reach my desired cruising speed.

 

>>I had good fun going clutchless one afternoon, but the tranny didn't enjoy it much. It's a great way to nail the insertion points.
>>

Care to explain this to us youngsters who have never known Transmissions without synchromesh (or clutches!)

Thanks

Patrick

 

d-mini-ero has it right. I've been using sticks for over 40 years. I laughed at my son-in-law when he asked about a shift light, I think they are unless and advertise that you are not comfortable with a stick. I do check the tach on occassion. I usually run 1st and 2nd to 6000+ as I do 3rd given room. I can hear and feel the difference between 6000 and 6500, I've been at it a long time. Tachs are nice but you don't really have time to look very often. If you have that much time you are going way to slow.

Motor on.

 

>>I rarely look at the tac...
>>I shift by.... the "feel" of the car...and the "sound" of the engine.
>>Been driving a stick for close to 35 years.
>>

D said it all.

You don't have to look at anything. The car will tell you when it's time. It's a feeling that you will learn.

 

Cruising on the freeways I'm at 3k or even 4k in 6th gear!
I usually don't rev it TOO high in the low gears just driving around. Usually shift in the 4k's. But I do bring it close to redline in most gears at some point in every trip in the MINI - even to get milk.

 

AppleCello,

As you can see.
1. There are many ways to drive and shift a manual.
2. Most of these posts show that MINI drivers are waiting to higher revs before they shift.
3. Some use the "force" and don't use the tach or a shift light but go by experience- the sound of the engine or the relative speed of the car.

If you are a beginner (or even if you are not) and you wish to learn about manual transmission shifting then read:
http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp

They state:
At what speed should you shift to second? It depends on the car, but in general each gear has a good range:
First from 0 to 15 MPH tops
Second 3 to 25 MPH
Third 15 to 45 MPH
Fourth 30 to 65 MPH
Fifth 45 to ??? MPH
Usually you shift up when you are at the halfway to 3/4 point between the two extremes. First gear is really only to get you going. In fact, it is very easy to start the car in second gear - although don't try this until you get a good handle on the whole process as it is tougher on the disk plates.

As for me I can shift from 1st to second anywhere from 1000 rpm on up to 4000 rpm with the common shift point coming about 2800 to 3000 rpm but the 15 mph rule of thumb is a good one. Most of the shifts thereafter can come about 3000 rpm at earliest and later if you wish to use the power band in the 4000 to 6000 range. By lingering at higher rpm you waste fuel but access greater torque and HP. It's alot noiser too.

If you shift too much in the higher range like 6000+ then you always risk over reving the engine.

For cruising I am typically in the 2800 to 3500 rpm range and usually 6th gear. It's not really necessary to double clutch but if you wish to use heel and toe downshift method then read this:
http://apps.edmunds.com/ownership/ho...2/article.html

Have fun and try going to driving school- see your nearest BMW Car club of America chapter for more info.

>>How do you drive your manual? What I want to know is, for the majority of your driving time (not on a race track for example), how do you shift?
>>
>>How high do you wind it before shifting to the next gear?
>>
>>What's your preferred RPM for cruising?
>>
>>Do you double clutch and / or Match RPMs on the downshift? I know that this is not necessary on modern transmissions, but its always fun, I think...
>>
>>

 

I just had my first track shcool yesterday, and driving with your rpm's around 6k is an incredible experience. the sound, the power, the smoothness is intoxicating. I spent most of the day in 2nd and third gears way up in the rpm's. I seems like it went through another break-in period. Today, the car feesl like a new machine even in the lower ranges.

Don't be afraid to wind up your MINI. It loves it!

Andy

 

>>
>>>>I had good fun going clutchless one afternoon, but the tranny didn't enjoy it much. It's a great way to nail the insertion points.
>>>>
>>
>>Care to explain this to us youngsters who have never known Transmissions without synchromesh (or clutches!)
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Patrick

Not that frickin old thankyou

First - um do get the two pedals workin with one foot. It is so easy and makes a huge difference just motoring around. Not that you need it for clutchless shifting.

And I do care. I care a lot. I'm also an amateur driver. That said:

If you get matching revs down real tight, you know there is a spot in the revs where the shifter just slides into place. Hit perfectly ( the clutch disc is at position) the shift is liquid smooth. Hit without the clutch engaged at the same timing, it's a bumpy entry into gear. I tried and tried, but I could not easily get a bumpless shift. So. In short. I stopped.

The trick to cluchless shifting is to feel for the entry. Steady pressure against the neutral shift **** and you'll feel it get sucked inyo gear at the point where the clutch disc is open. You just have to help it. To downshift just rev slowly until you feel the pull. If you already know what rpms your shifts are at, then it's a bit easier. I have no idea how to perform a clutchless uphill start. It takes a bit longer to shift, as you hang in neutral for a bit. If you miss the point on an upshift, just bring the revs slowly back up. Better that way anyway. It feels natural after a short while, and your body never forgets it.

I tried shifting the way I do my S on an old BMW 2002 a month ago. That thig had revs that jumped up and down like a grasshopper on crystal meth. Actually, the Classic Mini I droive was the same way. The MINI just has very easy shift points. The revs come down very slow, but you can bank on that.

Motor Well.

PS I wish this site diplayed people's locations.

 

Well Hello. Just did some clutchless today. Wow. A well broken in tranny/driver makes a big difference. Shifts were so smooth, I wonder why I use a clutch...

As far as getting started clutchless when faced up hill:

Start rolling backward in neutral/

Rev the engine.

On the downswing catch reverse.

Gun it.

E-brake and turn hard.

Release, rev, and catch 1st.

Do not roll the car.

 

I drove for years in a 5-spd truck with no tach. I drive by feel too. Just normal, I shift around 3k, maybe lower (I'm not usually in hurry anyway). When I rev 'er out, if feels much more rewarding though. From what I've learned, if you rev it out till it almost goes pop all the time, the engine's not gonna last all too long.

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-goin440 IB/IB MC

 

>>From what I've learned, if you rev it out till it almost goes pop all the time, the engine's not gonna last all too long.
>>


"almost goes pop" - in that context. Pop as in the rev limiter, or pop as in the massive noise a magnaflow(or other exhaust?) makes when you shift at high revs?

 

minihune, thanks for the links. I learned to drive stick about 3 years ago, but have never had a regular car to practice on, so I dont know the finer points. My clutch / gear engagement is smooth and consistent, but im not very skilled with rev matching on the downs, or optimum shift points.

GMINIO, sorry if I implied that you were some sort of geezer. I have no idea what age you are. For all I know, you are a young 20 something thats very accomplished behind the wheel of a car... And no offense to our older members! I respect your wisdom, advice, and experience.

Thanks for the info.

Patrick

 

I started driving on an old Toyota Wagon with a 5 speed manual. It had no tach, and everytime I saw one, it was a luxury item. Having it now on my MCS, I have to say that it's nice to have, but isn't required to motor along. I still shift by sound, and what the car is doing.

 

>>I started driving on an old Toyota Wagon with a 5 speed manual. It had no tach, and everytime I saw one, it was a luxury item. Having it now on my MCS, I have to say that it's nice to have, but isn't required to motor along. I still shift by sound, and what the car is doing.

I learned how to drive manual on a 63' Plymouth Valiant station wagon with a 3 speed H column shifter and no tach. It was more fun after my father overhauled the old engine and rebored the cylinders to put Ferrari pistons in there. We used it for many years until it completely rusted out.

 

Here an exHAMple of my shifting. I generally like to start my morning by starting the car in first gear and smacking into the back of my roomates EVO VIII. Then I curse. After this stressful start I generally light a cig and try to calm myself down. It doesnt work. So then I rev the motor to about.... I dunno... 12,631 rpms (+/- 5 rmp) and sidestep the clutch in reverse. This scares my dog. It's okay though, he is on medication for Post Traumatic Shift Disorder. By the time I shoot backwards out of my driveway and across the street plowing into my neighboors minivan (it's brown) Im probably going about 62-63 mph TOPS. Most times this results in my cigarette falling into my groin area and causing a small genitalia fire. I find the quickest way to put the fire out is to pour my cup of 190 Degree coffee on my crotch. Now Im awake and fairly "high strung". Time to proceed in first! I pull the E-brake, place a brick on the accelerator, and go get more coffee. I like coffee. Once back to the car it is usually "warmed up" and I proceed to very smoothly (smooth is the key) and gently POP the clutch. Once the cockpit of the car has filled with smoke and the tires are howling, this also upsets my dog, I release the E-brake and begin my commute to work. It's just that easy

 

I can't believe you are so lucky as to have a brown minivan to smack into every day! That's some writing!

 

-->MrWhoa...

Whoa!!!!!

Sounds like a great way to start the day.what roast coffee do you reccommend? I don't have a brown minivan available, but I suppose the SO's Volvo would do!

 

A dark french roast ofcourse... It's the only way to be sure.