Everyone on NAM by now know's about my shifting quandries. To put in frankly, I can shift fine from 2-3,3-4,5-6, but 1-2 still, after 1502 miles (just past it tonight), I still have not figured out how to shift from first to second, without either putting my passenger in traction, or burning rubber. Most of the time the car seems to buckle forward almost as if I'm down shifting. All of you have been a great help in figuring out other mistakes I have been doing, but I really need to get this figured out before I go solo in one month's time. Do you all have any suggestions as to what I may be doing and what is causing this and also what I can do to correct it? All your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in Advance!
Mikey AkA Chili

 

What RPM's are you reaching in 1st gear? Try running up gently to 3,500 and press the clutch in. Shift into seccond. GIve it a little gas to bring the RPM's up to about 2000 before letting out the clutch very gently. See if that smoothes out your shift and you can adjust from there.

 

I second goaljnky Chili. Also, since this has been going on for a bit I wonder if you could find someone that knows how to shiift and watch them as they drive your car. It is hard to pin down your problem without being there!

 

also, try letting the clutch out slower

 

Yea I did this ^^ with my dad, the difference is he shifts worse than I do in my car! He tried to tell me that I should have my foot all the way of the gas in between gears , is this true? I want badly to go to the Dragon and several people have volunteered to help me there. I wonder if I could make a short video of how I am shifting?

Thanks

 

I like to run it up to 5000, when going hard, even when going hard should I only take it up to 3500?

 

Yes, your foot should come all the way off of the gas as you depress the clutch, and then going into second you should gently press the gas while releasing the clutch slowly.

 

Well, for a split second it wouldn't hurt, then add gas as you begin releasing the clutch - in moderation!

 

agreeing with WindMeUp here... Also, your foot should be off the gas when switching between all the gears.. not just for switching from 1-2. From the sound of your posts there seems to be some confusion.

 

I second WindMeUp, he's quicker on the draw!

 

I agree with all others. Since it sounds like you are in the beggining stages of driving a manual transmission you should learn good habits first. That being said:

1. Your foot should be completely of the gas pedal when shifting gears. No matter what gears they are.

2. Taking the car to 3,500 RPM (especially in a car like MINI) will prevent the engine from producing too much torque when shifting into next gear, thus resulting in a smoother shifts and less jerkiness. Also, apply the gas smoothely and don't just mush the pedal down. Not quite yet, at least .

As you learn the proper shifting technique you will be able to start adjusting for more agressive driving (all the way up to 7,000 RPM ), faster shifts (with the gas pedal all the way down ), etc.

But, as the saying goes: "You must learn to walk, before you can run". The process is not complicated, but taking it one step at a time really does simplify things.

 

I odn't how i did it but i ran before i walked!

 

OMG, Thanks everyone! I have three words, I am healed! I used your tips particularly the ones stating to apply gas as you let off the clutch and it was like a miracle, I was almost on the the verge of tears! I even tried to "run" and it still did stupendous. This case: Mikey vs. $hity shifting is officially over! All this because I needed to make a Kripsy Kreme run tonight! Or the miracle would have been postponed until tommorrow!


Thanks for all your help and tips!
Mikey

 

congrats

 

I bet he's slipping into 2nd...

 

Thanks.
I still want to go to the Dragon though. My parents do know what I'll do without them there. They think I might do something stupid. Me of course not! Maybe my dad'll have a Cooper S by then and we can both go!
As my favorite goes:
Dad like I told you; I'll always go the speed limit... But I'll have LOTS of fun getting there!"
"That's what i was afraid of."
-Me & My Dad
Thanks
Mikey

 

Kenchan, my father and friend both told me that I wasn't slipping the clutch. I am not making the revs go any higher or stay the same, just applying a little accelerator. :smile:

Mikey

 

Enjoy and happy Motoring.

 

so you understood my explanation about the exponential input on the
gas pedal? :smile:

 

fo sho

 

I'm a little puzzled by this "take your foot right off the throttle" line.
Now I'm not saying keep your foot in it,but to get smooth up shifts,you don't want the revs to drop much,and when down shifting you need to rev match,blip the throttle,and have the revs the same,or slightly higher in the lower gear as the one your shifting down from.Being smooth and quick in your shifting will save your passengers from flying around the cockpit,and add tens of thousands of miles to your clutch life.
I'm not talking hard shifting,just smooth.
ChiliCooperS,you have only a few miles in a stick.It will come,play with it,have fun.
Try this,up shift at low revs,keep the throttle working,but don't accelarate fast,go for smooth.Should feel like a constant 0 to say 50 mph.
Don't go for speed,just a slight pull in every gear.

 

>"take your foot right off the throttle" line.

I take my foot a good inch or two off the pedal between shifts when
letting the rev come down. It's a shorter wait.

 

I agree with lot15. I definitely let up on the throttle between gears, but I don't take my foot all the way off it. The ratios in the gearbox are very close, and if the revs drop too far, there's a little jerk when I let out the clutch because the motor is going too slow. I try to let off the gas just enough so that the revs drop to just the right speed for the next gear.

 

I no longer have problems shifting smoothly while going slow. NOW my problem is when accelerating even just a little hard causes me to get very choppy Again! Any tips?

Thanks
Mikey

 

The mechanics involved are still the same. You still need to coordinate the clutch, gas, shift lever only quicker than at slow speed. Remember when upshifting you must lower the rpm's prior to releasing the clutch so the new gearing matches the vehicle speed. I don't know if this is a problem, but you might want to nix the radio during your learning period. You need to hear the engine and get used to what it sounds like when you shift correctly.