Stupid noob mtx question. Flame away

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 8:53 pm

Ok, so I'm still relatively new to 5 speed, and I know this is a dumb question but I want to hear it from you guys... Is it totally kosher to do a 5th to 3rd downshift on the highway? That just seems like a big jump to me but gear ratios don't really mean much to me. I just know when I downshift and punch it in 4th I'm still not going anywhere and sometimes feel like I should be in 3rd for the power band to be better. Don't get me wrong... I'm not looking for a turbo here, I just want some decent acceleration when I need it.

Also, is it really bad to downshift after you slow down to make a turn or get off an exit or whatever and need to go slower? I saw that one noob get flamed for asking about downshifting and people said "brakes are cheaper than clutches" which I understand but I mean if you need to slow from like 60 to 30 clearly 5th is the wrong gear to keep you moving at that speed. I know it's wearing on the clutch when you downshift but it's necessary. This isn't really the same concept as heel and toe (which is bad) I don't think, is it?

I'm asking because I'm replacing the clutch tomorrow so if it's a bad practice I'd like to know so I don't do it after the new clutch.

Post by **Canada** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:02 pm

Both are fine.

When I drop 2 gears, I try and give the gas pedal a quick "kick" to bring the revs up so its not so abrupt when going into the lower gear, similar to rev matching.

When I get off the highway, I usually downshift through 5th, 4th, 3rd and then 2nd gear before I get to the end of the ramp to come to a stop before I turn, or leave it in 2nd if the light is green and continue my turn.

theColonel · Post by **theColonel** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 pm

sidepipe87 wrote:Ok, so I'm still relatively new to 5 speed, and I know this is a dumb question but I want to hear it from you guys... Is it totally kosher to do a 5th to 3rd downshift on the highway? That just seems like a big jump to me but gear ratios don't really mean much to me. I just know when I downshift and punch it in 4th I'm still not going anywhere and sometimes feel like I should be in 3rd for the power band to be better. Don't get me wrong... I'm not looking for a turbo here, I just want some decent acceleration when I need it.

Also, is it really bad to downshift after you slow down to make a turn or get off an exit or whatever and need to go slower? I saw that one noob get flamed for asking about downshifting and people said "brakes are cheaper than clutches" which I understand but I mean if you need to slow from like 60 to 30 clearly 5th is the wrong gear to keep you moving at that speed. I know it's wearing on the clutch when you downshift but it's necessary. This isn't really the same concept as heel and toe (which is bad) I don't think, is it?

I'm asking because I'm replacing the clutch tomorrow so if it's a bad practice I'd like to know so I don't do it after the new clutch.

This is not a stupid question ... I've been driving manual transmissions since 1958 (there wasn't a choice when I was young)

... downshifting doesn't wear out the clutch ...
after you drive the same car for a long time, it's "seat of the pants" ... you just pick whatever gear you need in any situation

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:05 pm

Canada wrote:Both are fine.

When I drop 2 gears, I try and give the gas pedal a quick "kick" to bring the revs up so its not so abrupt when going into the lower gear, similar to rev matching.

When I get off the highway, I usually downshift through 5th, 4th, 3rd and then 2nd gear before I get to the end of the ramp to come to a stop before I turn, or leave it in 2nd if the light is green and continue my turn.

Exactly, I do the same as the Canadian in both aspects.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:06 pm

I also was thinking about these the other day. I do both of those things. Never even crossed my mind that engine-braking could cause clutch wear.

Although, I always have one hell of a time trying to shift 5th-3rd directly. Whether it be that I just can't find it, or the shifter literally locks me out. So I always shift 5th,4th,3rd (without letting out the clutch) and give it some gas to rev-match. Seems to work just fine.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:17 pm

^Lol! Yeah... I always think....wtf... how do you make the U from 5 to 3 swiftly?

Thanks guys! Canada that's good to know because that's usually what I try to do when I slow down too.

Also, I notice sometimes when I'm getting on it to accelerate I have a hard time "finding" 3rd. Is this normal, or is this like a synchro thing? I have Boogers btw so it's firm to begin with. It just seems like when I accelerate normally it goes right in but when I'm accelerating quickly I have a hard time getting it to go in (I know I know. That's what she said)

Post by **Canada** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 pm

You'll get better with practice, just don't hit 1st

theColonel · Post by **theColonel** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:24 pm

sidepipe87 wrote:^Lol! Yeah... I always think....wtf... how do you make the U from 5 to 3 swiftly?

for some reason I find it easy to shift from 4th to 2nd, but not 5th to 3rd

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:33 pm

Canada wrote:You'll get better with practice, just don't hit 1st

haha yeah that is a fear of mine!

I've come to find out you CAN pull away in 3rd gear... very carefully. Go to pull away, car feels like its going to stall, give it gas sloowwwlllyyyy, realize I'm in 3rd not 1st, say fuggit and keep rolling then shift into 2nd

Post by **Canada** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:54 pm

That will wear the shit out of your clutch lol.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:00 pm

well that I know and don't care about since it's high mileage and being replaced haha. I wouldn't do it on the new one.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:15 pm

Good info in this thread! (I knew the answers anyways, but good for newbs like Ryan)

Post by **Canada** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:18 pm

Fix your sig. It annoys me.

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:21 pm

I'm sorry, I'm trying to find a good parrot sig.

Post by **Canada** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:32 pm

Maybe a Hatter sig lol?

TheRandom1 · Post by **TheRandom1** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:33 pm

A mad hatter parrot? I'm heading to the photoshop request section...

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:23 am

I personally have never done it, after a friend accidentally going to 1st gear.

When I do downshift I always revmatch, unless I plan on nailing it and going fast.

Mopar00Neon · Post by **Mopar00Neon** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:55 am

MyNeonSaysHi wrote:I personally have never done it, after a friend accidentally going to 1st gear.
When I do downshift I always revmatch, unless I plan on nailing it and going fast.

Even then, rev match it.

Then hit the gas and go...

Marcel · Post by **Marcel** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:17 am

yep, when roadworks end or some slow bugger in front of me is moving towards the side i always got a special ritual to celebrate the occasion:

1) press clutch
2) rev it two times to match rpm in lower gear
3) downshift one or two gears, depending on speed
4) take off!!

5) enjoying the moment

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:02 pm

JeffM wrote:Never even crossed my mind that engine-braking could cause clutch wear.

The actual engine braking doesn't wear it out one bit. It's the shift that will or will not wear it out, just like upshifting and accelerating. Once the clutch is engaged, accelerating or decelerating it doesn't do a thing. It all comes back to a good upshift or a good downshift.

For what it's worth my car has 326 000km on it with the original clutch and downshifted and engine braked all the time.

theColonel · Post by **theColonel** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:36 pm

TheRandom1 wrote:A mad hatter parrot? I'm heading to the photoshop request section...

I love the new theme ... avatar & sig pic

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 1:45 pm

I rev the car every time I downshift. Just a habit. I've gone 5th to 2nd before. Doesn't hurt anything to do any single gear combination aslong as the rpm's aren't too high and it's not reverse lol.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:57 pm

good information! we can make a decent 5 speed driver out of me yet!

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:14 pm

Definitely good info in this thread.

Post by **Canada** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:52 pm

How unusual...

Good info in a thread for someone that usually shits all over others' threads

:p

<3 Ryan.

good information! we can make a decent 5 speed driver out of me yet!

I won't hold my breath.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:07 pm

I only shit on fucking n00b ass moron's threads, and people that I deem less than myself. What? You think that makes me cocky? no, not cocky... I just have a big penis. wait... I mean, I'm an asshole...

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:09 am

Haha. Or if you REALLY wanna miss a wise crack. . .

"Watch out for that loose nut behind the wheel!"

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:37 am

^HAHAHAHAHA

fuck off.

silversport · Post by **silversport** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:08 am

sidepipe87 wrote:
Canada wrote:You'll get better with practice, just don't hit 1st
haha yeah that is a fear of mine!

I've come to find out you CAN pull away in 3rd gear... very carefully. Go to pull away, car feels like its going to stall, give it gas sloowwwlllyyyy, realize I'm in 3rd not 1st, say fuggit and keep rolling then shift into 2nd

Made me think of this. This was going from 2nd to 3rd but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et-g4P8SbJQ

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:32 am

Bad bad bad. I get nervous just engine-braking and putting the revs up to 3500.

2GN.ORG

Stupid noob mtx question. Flame away

Stupid noob mtx question. Flame away

Re: Stupid noob mtx question. Flame away