shifting
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 0
From: Crofton MD
Originally Posted by SearayC5
Me personally, i like to downshift to save the brakes. I rev to match the R's and it's smooth as glass. I like the assistance the transmission gives especially on a down hill stop. Also there is less brake dust when u downshift and help the car slow down first. Just my .02 cents.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 25
From: Tacoma WA
Yeah, i'll usually downshift at low low RPMs, from 6th to 5th and to 4th, but in fourth under 1k rpms is pretty slow... and not worth going through 3 more gears... i'll usually just toss it in neutral then let out the clutch.
Another benifit you'll see from tossing it in neutral while breaking is your gas mileage can easily improve 1 or 2 MPG in the city, maybe more! ;-)
Dan
Another benifit you'll see from tossing it in neutral while breaking is your gas mileage can easily improve 1 or 2 MPG in the city, maybe more! ;-)
Dan
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Hammie
I agree completely. I do nice soft downshifts. Saves my brakes and the brakedust. And it's amazing how much the tranny will help slow a vehicle in time of need.
This is the first car I've owned with good pedal position for heel-toeing, so I tend to practice my technique at every stop. Besides, downshifting through a few gears while braking hard at the end of an off ramp just sounds incredible through my magnaflow
For all the "Downshifting wears out your clutch" people, just learn to rev match well, it only takes a week or two of forcing yourself to do it at every possible opportunity.
My last car saw almost as many downshifts as upshifts, and never needed any clutch work for the 70,000 miles I owned it. (Funny, the first dealer I had it serviced at after I bought it used told me it would need a clutch within the next 10,000 miles
)
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Originally Posted by BltByKrmn
Not if you know how to downshift correctly.
once rev matching is mastered then the only real 'wear' on the clutch when you downshift is on the throwout bearings, isn't it? If you shift into neutral, then pop it into first once you've stopped, isn't that about the same amount of 'wear' on the clutch, as would be caused by downshifting?
This thread is heading the same way as those on which tires are the best, which radar detector is the best, which polish is the best, etc....
In the end, do what you're comfortable with, and what matches the situation you're facing.
Former Law Dawg Moderator
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29,434
Likes: 96
From: Eads, Tennessee
CF St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I don't put it in neutral - I just press the clutch in and use the brakes. Never know when you might need the car in gear for an emergency maneuver,
