M6: Hand resting on shifter
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 847
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
M6: Hand resting on shifter
There was a threat the other day discussing that it's bad to rest your hand on the shifter when driving. I'll be dang if I can find that sucker, and no, I didn't subscribe....
Anyhow, I couldn't see how that'd hurt anything as long as you weren't pushing/pulling on it.
People were saying their fathers said that was bad - I don't understand. I'm wondering if their fathers said/meant to keep your foot off of the clutch pedal if not shifting.... now that one I understand, but how resting a hand in a shift **** could damage the car escapes me.
Anyhow, I couldn't see how that'd hurt anything as long as you weren't pushing/pulling on it.
People were saying their fathers said that was bad - I don't understand. I'm wondering if their fathers said/meant to keep your foot off of the clutch pedal if not shifting.... now that one I understand, but how resting a hand in a shift **** could damage the car escapes me.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,189
From: Buffalo Texas
There was a threat the other day discussing that it's bad to rest your hand on the shifter when driving. I'll be dang if I can find that sucker, and no, I didn't subscribe....
Anyhow, I couldn't see how that'd hurt anything as long as you weren't pushing/pulling on it.
People were saying their fathers said that was bad - I don't understand. I'm wondering if their fathers said/meant to keep your foot off of the clutch pedal if not shifting.... now that one I understand, but how resting a hand in a shift **** could damage the car escapes me.
Anyhow, I couldn't see how that'd hurt anything as long as you weren't pushing/pulling on it.
People were saying their fathers said that was bad - I don't understand. I'm wondering if their fathers said/meant to keep your foot off of the clutch pedal if not shifting.... now that one I understand, but how resting a hand in a shift **** could damage the car escapes me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 847
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Well, that was my line of thinking too. I just wondered of people were really trying to say about the foot on the pedal. That's why the thread.
I've always rested my hand as well.
I've always rested my hand as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Although I don't have it at hand, I am pretty sure my BMW 325i manual states not to rest your hand on the shifter.
And: http://www.streetlegaltv.com/?p=1102450
Also from a quick Internet search:
The reason you should not do this is because the weight of your hand, and arm, is multiplied due to leverage. This can move the shifter rail slightly off the detent ball which holds the shift and fork in its proper position. The shifter fork fingers are then being rubbed against the rotating synchronizer sleeve (think of placing your thumb and forefinger inside the grooves of a small pulley).
Over time the shift fork fingers and the sleeve will wear down. Once the gap is excessive the force applied to the gearset in question (1/2, 3/4, etc) will try to slide the synchronizer inserts inside the sleeve. There is a point of no-return here and the synchronizer hub/sleeve assembly will then try to place itself in the neutral position; a.k.a jumping out of gear.
And: http://www.streetlegaltv.com/?p=1102450
Also from a quick Internet search:
The reason you should not do this is because the weight of your hand, and arm, is multiplied due to leverage. This can move the shifter rail slightly off the detent ball which holds the shift and fork in its proper position. The shifter fork fingers are then being rubbed against the rotating synchronizer sleeve (think of placing your thumb and forefinger inside the grooves of a small pulley).
Over time the shift fork fingers and the sleeve will wear down. Once the gap is excessive the force applied to the gearset in question (1/2, 3/4, etc) will try to slide the synchronizer inserts inside the sleeve. There is a point of no-return here and the synchronizer hub/sleeve assembly will then try to place itself in the neutral position; a.k.a jumping out of gear.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
I don't tend to rest on the shifter, but the handbrake instead. At my driving position the handbrake is absolutely perfect for me to comfortably rest on. One of the many reasons I like highway driving in my car.
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