Do you downshift?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,722
Likes: 0
Do you downshift?
Just wondering....I know downshifting is easier on the brakes...but how is it on the clutch/transmission? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I'm starting to learn the speed points for the M6 and downshifting. Just want to get some opinions. Seems like it would be harder on the car to downshift than to just use brake alone...but I still do it sometimes. This is for everyday driving, not racing (we're not talking about slowing down from 100MPH).
:steering:
[Modified by Jman, 9:41 AM 2/5/2004]
:steering:
[Modified by Jman, 9:41 AM 2/5/2004]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 121
From: Wichita KS
Re: Do you downshift? (Jman)
Just wondering....I know downshifting is easier on the brakes...but how is it on the clutch/transmission? ..... This is for everyday driving, not racing ...
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 528
Likes: 3
Re: Do you downshift? (mapman)
well, even when you race you first brake and then downshift, you don't want over rev your engine right...
but in town downshifts are still nothing since they occure between 1-3 gear at speeds of less than 40 mph...
but in town downshifts are still nothing since they occure between 1-3 gear at speeds of less than 40 mph...
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,632
Likes: 0
From: Palos Park IL
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Re: Do you downshift? (Jman)
When slowing for a turn I brake to slow the car, and downshift & rev match to have the car set up for exiting the turn. When stopping for a light, etc., I only use the brakes. In short, I never downshift to slow the car (that's what brakes are for, and brake pads are cheaper than any part of your transmission), but I do downshift so that I'm in the correct gear for accelerating again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,927
Likes: 3
From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Re: Do you downshift? (mapman)
________________________________________ ________________________
Just wondering....I know downshifting is easier on the brakes...but how is it on the clutch/transmission? ..... This is for everyday driving, not racing ...
________________________________________ ________________________
I'll double clutch/downshift more often than not. If you don't double clutch and match the rev's to the tranny speed, you will place additional wear and tear on the synchro's. I think that riding the clutch or just plain agressive driving is much more wear and tear on the clutch, tranny and synchro's than down shifting. Yeah....I know....no one ever drives their Vette in an aggressive manner. You wanna play.....you gotta pay
Just wondering....I know downshifting is easier on the brakes...but how is it on the clutch/transmission? ..... This is for everyday driving, not racing ...
________________________________________ ________________________
I'll double clutch/downshift more often than not. If you don't double clutch and match the rev's to the tranny speed, you will place additional wear and tear on the synchro's. I think that riding the clutch or just plain agressive driving is much more wear and tear on the clutch, tranny and synchro's than down shifting. Yeah....I know....no one ever drives their Vette in an aggressive manner. You wanna play.....you gotta pay
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeland MS
Re: Do you downshift? (joemoia)
I generally rev match before I downshift. If I need to slow down I do the heel and toe. I also like to just let off the gas and coast then downshift to the lower gear as my speed decreases. That way I get to hear the borla's do their gurgle pop. Music to my ears :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 84
From: Gainesville VA
Re: Do you downshift? (Av8ter)
I never downshift. All youre doing is putting more wear and tear on the engine, clutch, and transmission. Brakes are easier and cheaper to replace.
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Re: Do you downshift? (Ryan2002C5)
I match the revs and downshift alot. If you do it right you aren't putting any added wear on the drive-train. Plus, it sounds so good.
BTW how do you all heel-toe a stock c5? I'm 6'4" so I have to roll my rt foot over to blip the throttle. It was very easy at race car driving school, but w/ my c5 the pedals are too far apart. My legs are too long to rotate my heel over to the right. :cheers:
[Modified by Cobra4B, 5:53 PM 2/5/2004]
BTW how do you all heel-toe a stock c5? I'm 6'4" so I have to roll my rt foot over to blip the throttle. It was very easy at race car driving school, but w/ my c5 the pedals are too far apart. My legs are too long to rotate my heel over to the right. :cheers:
[Modified by Cobra4B, 5:53 PM 2/5/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Do you downshift? (Jman)
I have several vehicles that I drive that are manual shift. Some of which I shift up and down without thinking as a part of driving the vehicle. In some situations where you can coast down a taller gear because of a red light ahead I find myself doing that to save the engine get better fuel economy. Of course Automatics are the easiest to drive and if you are worried about shifting up or down just because of wearing out something you really shouldnt be driving a stick IMO.
VR :cheers:
VR :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,632
Likes: 0
From: Palos Park IL
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
Re: Do you downshift? (Cobra4B)
I match the revs and downshift alot. If you do it right you aren't putting any added wear on the drive-train. Plus, it sounds so good.
BTW how do you all heel-toe a stock c5? I'm 6'4" so I have to roll my rt foot over to blip the throttle. It was very easy at race car driving school, but w/ my c5 the pedals are too far apart. My legs are too long to rotate my heel over to the right. :cheers:
[Modified by Cobra4B, 5:53 PM 2/5/2004]
BTW how do you all heel-toe a stock c5? I'm 6'4" so I have to roll my rt foot over to blip the throttle. It was very easy at race car driving school, but w/ my c5 the pedals are too far apart. My legs are too long to rotate my heel over to the right. :cheers:
[Modified by Cobra4B, 5:53 PM 2/5/2004]
Also, for anyone who is interested, I've posted a video from the '02 Road Atlanta ALMS race, which shows in car footage (literally, it's of his footwork :) ) of Sascha Maasen from the Alex Job team. Great example of what heel & toe downshifting looks like! But be warned, it's about 29MB, and my uplink speed is only 384kb, so it may take you awhile to see it!
Click here to see it...
:withstupid: Hi Collin :seeya
Collin
[Modified by COBrien, 6:58 PM 2/5/2004]
[Modified by COBrien, 12:07 AM 2/6/2004]
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: granada hills california
Re: Do you downshift? (Jman)
I downshift all the time while slowing down with the brakes. Yes it will wear the tranny faster and conserve brakes as the opposite will wear brakes faster and conserve tranny. The type of downshifting i do would put minimal wear on tranny and related components, Say when exiting the freeway ,i let off and use tranny to slow car a little then I press gas to even out rpm to tranny speed ,put the car in neutral , give her a rev ,feel speed , determine gear while braking, downshift letting clutch out slowly and as long as rpm doesn't jump up too much all the way and so on . On street I usually go 1st, 2nd then neutral and coast to a stop. If you do as the manual says you would go through alot of brake pads just to keep the back side of your tranny gears from wearing.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Cologne Germany
Re: Do you downshift? (Cobra4B)
BTW how do you all heel-toe a stock c5? I'm 6'4" so I have to roll my rt foot over to blip the throttle. It was very easy at race car driving school, but w/ my c5 the pedals are too far apart. My legs are too long to rotate my heel over to the right.
I find it easier to do with regular shoes. I bought a set of racing shoes, with the sole on the right shoes worked around the edge for better heel and toeing. In the corvette, I found they are too narrow to heel and toe. Actually, the right foot almost fits into the gap between brake and accelerator. On the other hand, I can't drive an Elise with some of my shoes, because they are just too wide, and I can't operate the pedals separately. If I ever get to drive an Elise again, I will finally have some use for those nice racing shoes.:D
Till
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 8
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Re: Do you downshift? (vetterdstr)
Fuel economy :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: How much you got into that car and trailer? :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :lol: :lol: :lol: :seeya :chevy :chevy :chevy :party:
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 1
From: Torrance Ca.
Re: Do you downshift? (Cobra4B)
BTW how do you all heel-toe a stock c5? I'm 6'4" so I have to roll my rt foot over to blip the throttle. It was very easy at race car driving school, but w/ my c5 the pedals are too far apart. My legs are too long to rotate my heel over to the right. :cheers:
[Modified by Cobra4B, 5:53 PM 2/5/2004]
[Modified by Cobra4B, 5:53 PM 2/5/2004]