I feel kind of dumb asking this, but does anyone have any tips on shifting this car smoothly, shifting at high rpm, tips for saving the clutch/throw out bearing, etc? I have owned and driven several manual transmissions in the past, but mostly on trucks and if it was a 4cyl car it was never one with any power. Clutches in those kinds of vehicles are much more forgiving than in a car like this. I have owned the car for a grand total of 24 hours so I haven't really driven it much, but I can't seem to figure out the best or safest way to shift. I can't seem to shift smoothly until I'm coming out of 3rd. Like I said I feel dumb asking such a question being such a car nut and all, but lets face it my experience is with V8's and a turbo Mini is in a whole other league.

 

Just learn your car. Drive it around for a few hours in traffic and you should get the hang of it.

 

With time I'll get it, just thought maybe someone might have some tips or something they noticed about their own driving that helped them. One person has told me not to let the revs drop as much as I would in what I'm used to. I'll just have to practice and like you said learn my car, but advice is always appreciated!

 

You definitely want to learn where the revs "should be" in the next gear and try to let the clutch out when the revs get to that point. But the RPM drop from gear to gear is going to be different at different speeds and going into different gears; the best way to learn is to do.

 

Exactly what everyone has said here. I used to sell cars and therefore had to drive many, many vehicles that were all different in how they drove. It will just take some time. If you find a back or rural road you and no traffic you can motor up and down through the gears a bit in order to help you "get the hang of it" Sometimes a school parking lot works well in the late afternoon or early evening as it is empty at that time and you will get plenty of practice in the first and second gears.

 

Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'll just have to drive it some and figure out what works for me.

2 more questions. What is the optimal RPM range in a R56 S for gas mileage during normal driving (minimal traffic)? And this might sound dumb too, but will I wear part of the clutch assembly out faster if I don't put the clutch pedal to the floor every time?

 

I don't have the link handy, but somewhere MINI has a how-to for shifting etc.

 

Thanks, I had no idea. I'll do some digging and see if I can find it.

 

Here's a couple words of advice. Read your owners manual for rpm shift points coupled with listening to your engine and shift when it sounds right. You can tell if your a car person and have driven sticks. Any sticks.

Push the clutch all the way to the floor. Do not rest your foot on top of the clutch this will wear the TO bearing and other components. Do not rest your hand on the shifter either. This also will wear out shifter components more quickly. Shift the car put your hand back on the wheel and then return to the shifter on the next necessary shift.

This car is very easy to shift and the gear locations are very easy to find. Practice and listen to the cars RPM's. It's engine sound will give you the sweet spot.

You will always maximize fuel economy by staying in the highest gear practical for the driving circumstance you are in. Again listen to the engine.

And practice, practice and more practice.

 

For fuel economy, stay at 2000 RPM or below. And stay out of the boost.

...Not as much fun as winding it up and getting into the boost, though...

 

Thanks PatM. Thats good advice.

 

PatM had good advice and I would add just one more point. When you come to a stop light or other situation where the car will be stopped for a bit then shift into neutral and take your foot off the clutch. Excessive wear will happen to the clutch disc if it is not fully released, hence the term "riding the clutch".

 

I would make a point of making your shifting in 2 steps: For example the shift from first to second should be first to neutral, then neutral to second. 2 motions. After a little practice this becomes second nature.

 

Nealuss: One simple thing to try....press the sport button. I have always owned and driven manual transmission vehicles, I like to shift, it's boring to me to drive an automatic transmission vehicle. I've been driving now for over 40 years so I'm not a novice and I can't drive my MCS smoothly without the sport button on. I have installed a relay, (DIY thread here on NAM) that turns the sport button on each time I start the car. It may be worth a try....

 

I just push the button. I liken it to a pre race check. Fasten seat belt, check. Push sport button, check. Push starter button, check.

It's just part of the driving and Mini experience.

 

Things I've learned about my Mini...

If in no hurry, I shift at about 3K.
I fully let the clutch out before giving it gas. (eliminates clutch slip)

(I don't shift to neutral before the next gear, other than having to pass through and see no reason you would want to on an upshift... see post by susanmini???)

I do like to double declutch on the downshifts. (heal and toe...) On brakes using toe or ball of foot, Clutch in, shift to neutral, clutch out, blip throttle by rolling ankle or using heal, clutch in shift into lower gear as revs are falling, clutch out, trail off brakes after turn in... Done correctly, produces almost zero wear on the entire driveline and just sounds cool. It's sad so few people can actually do it anymore. That and the new SMG or double clutch trannys (DCT) eliminate the need. They do it for you..

You know it's called DRIVING a car fast...lol Comes from driving old race cars...

 

Thanks for the tips, guys. At least I know I'm not alone here. It just takes some getting used to. I'm not a beginner by any means, but I have never owned a 4cyl with a manual and certainly haven't driven one with any kind of power. I think a big part of it for me is learning how to drive a car with boost. I have always had v8's and the power band is COMPLETELY different on that. As for the sport button, I have noticed the added throttle response does help with shift smoothness. I also think part of the problem I'm having is my brain isn't letting my foot lift off of the clutch fast enough when I am cruising at a normal speed. Yet another habit from driving v8's.

 

Blipping the throttle on downshifts if called "rev matching" and is used to bring the RPMs of the engine back up after pushing in the clutch, to "match" the engine RPMs with the tranny RPMs. This keeps the engine revved up for power/speed and is easier on the tranny. As you know when the clutch is depressed, the engine RPMs drop- Rev matching eases the shock between two mechanical pieces spinning at different rates.

I have only heard of people doing it on downshifts but find it also makes up shifts smoother and quicker. I am not aware of any potential issues or damages to the clutch or throw-out bearing from doing this. Makes a cool sound to boot....

 

I never rev-matched on upshifting before, but it does seem to smooth out the shifts on normal driving.

 

You could always go to clutchless shifting. That always amazes people when you do that without pressing the clutch and they did not realize it is possible.

 

lol I did that with the truck I used to have. It is funny to see people scratch there head when you don't use the clutch. Most of my friends are gear-heads like me though. Wouldn't work too well on them

 

Where is the fun in that?

 

Ok I've been driving this car for over a week now and have put roughly 600 miles on it but I STILL cannot seem to engage second gear smoothly unless I am going 2 mph or starting off in second. Anyone else seem to have this problem? This is so frustrating because I am usually the one teaching other people how to drive manual!!!! I am supposed to be good at this?!!

 

BTW a little off topic, but what do you MINI vet's consider proper break in time to be on these cars? This is my first brand new car ( the newest one before this being 6k miles) and I just want to make sure I don't condemn something to failure if I decide to have a little fun. The manual says 1200 miles but what do you guys think?

 

Grab a veteran manual driver and invite them for a spin and see what they think. Maybe you do have a mechanical problem on the car. Stranger things have happened. And Like I said earlier, find an empty parking lot. In those you never get out of 1st or 2nd gear. 20 minutes in a parking lot is like driving for two hours of normal driving if you compare the number of 1 & 2 gear changes you will have to make.