Downshifting Question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Calgary Alberta
Downshifting Question
I was flipping through my owners manual the other day and on the page that explains what the maximum speeds you can downsift into the paticular gears I noticed it also comments that you should NEVER drop more than one gear when you downshift.
I have definitely on occasion dropped more than one gear in a downshift and now I'm curious if this is actually an issue because I would hate to damage the apple of my eye in any way.
I would think as long as you're below redline in the gear you downshift into (below the recommended speeds in the manual) you should be fine.
Thoughts? Comments?
I have definitely on occasion dropped more than one gear in a downshift and now I'm curious if this is actually an issue because I would hate to damage the apple of my eye in any way.
I would think as long as you're below redline in the gear you downshift into (below the recommended speeds in the manual) you should be fine.
Thoughts? Comments?
Le Mans Master
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I would think that maybe a chance of over reving the engine in the downshift. Remember they put a lot on warning information in the manuals to cover their butts.
I have never downshifter more than one gear at a time, but I have upshifted past a gear. Like second to forth and third to fifth at times.
I have never downshifter more than one gear at a time, but I have upshifted past a gear. Like second to forth and third to fifth at times.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
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From: Winfield IN
This is exactly why they put it in there. They're just basically saying, "Shift at your own risk, but we warned you." The reason they're warning you is because you can mechanically over-rev the engine if you select the wrong gear. The rev-limiter will not save you. I downshift from 6th to 3rd at 60 mph all the time. No problems. Just be certain that you have the right gear you want!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Rochester Hills MI
if i ever skip a gear downshifting, i usually just rev match for the gear im skipping, and briefly kiss the synchro. then i rev match to the gear im going into. it makes the rev matching process a little easier and exact for me. its a little bit more difficult to rev match fully skipping a gear, but still doable. fully skipping the gear isnt something i typically practice though, because you shouldnt ever need to do it on a road course. plus it sounds pretty cool when i punch the gas twice really fast when downshifting. 
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Walnut Creek CA
That's just CYA language in the manual. Just in case you drop from 6 to 1 at 90MPH and your transmission and/or motor breaks - they don't want to be sued because you didn't know how to operate the vehicle.
Le Mans Master
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
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Pro
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From: Fort Lauderdale Florida
I don't know if this really pertains to your question but I thought I would throw it in for anyone else whom it might help.
I would just go through and check your max speeds per gear. That way when you go to down shift you know what gear you should select and what RPMs you'll be at once in that gear.
I would just go through and check your max speeds per gear. That way when you go to down shift you know what gear you should select and what RPMs you'll be at once in that gear.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
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From: Winfield IN
I don't know if this really pertains to your question but I thought I would throw it in for anyone else whom it might help.
I would just go through and check your max speeds per gear. That way when you go to down shift you know what gear you should select and what RPMs you'll be at once in that gear.
I would just go through and check your max speeds per gear. That way when you go to down shift you know what gear you should select and what RPMs you'll be at once in that gear.
Very good advice here too. Definitely know your redline in each gear.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
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From: Calgary Alberta
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Thanks for all the responses in such a short amount of time everyone. Lots of useful info as per usual. God I love this forum.
As I was searching for the answer to this question before I posted it I came across a lot of posts regarding "knocking" and troubleshooting them. I'm wondering how you can tell if your car is knocking as I've never knowingly been around a car that was knocking. Just for interest's sake.
As I was searching for the answer to this question before I posted it I came across a lot of posts regarding "knocking" and troubleshooting them. I'm wondering how you can tell if your car is knocking as I've never knowingly been around a car that was knocking. Just for interest's sake.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Lancaster Pa
Like others have suggested, all you need to do is watch your rpms when you shift. It is a much bigger difference when skipping gears, so if you get it wrong it may cause a little more wear on the clutch and a bit more discomfort from the lurching. Personally I drive mine everyday (30K+ miles in my last 2 years) and I am almost always skipping gears, shifting up and down.
I even go from 1st to 5th if I floor it on an on ramp
Just watch the rpms/max speed for the gear you are shifting to and you should be fine. Also might help to learn to 'double clutch' as it helps reducing the wear on the clutch and syncros... plus its just something to add to the enjoyment of driving
I even go from 1st to 5th if I floor it on an on ramp
Just watch the rpms/max speed for the gear you are shifting to and you should be fine. Also might help to learn to 'double clutch' as it helps reducing the wear on the clutch and syncros... plus its just something to add to the enjoyment of driving
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Le Mans Master
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From: Winfield IN
Melting Slicks
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Now onto the op's other question one way you can see if you are pulling timing due to knock is to data log your engine with Hp tuners or EFI Live other than that I would imagine unless it is a very slight knock you would be able to hear it and possibly feel it.