shifting skills

[n00b240]

Hey sup everyone, I was driving around today. And I was thinkin man I wonder if I've developed some bad shifting skills. When shifting up, I dont do anything out of the ordinary, its just that when i shift down, usually on a turn I shift from 4th to 2nd, for some reason on dry road i find i get added grip. on wet roads, madd traction loss and a nice drift. Is that bad practice to go from 4th to 2nd, do you guys do it too?

Also when slowing down the car I sometimes put it in neutral, and go easy on brakes to slow the car down. What do you guys do, in terms of shifting? Thought it would be interesting to know what yall do. I know in my old car a '88 bmw 535i I used to try to shift up from 2nd to 4th, and its fuggin hard as ****. but i dont think i wanna try on my s14, anyhow id like to hear from yall

[Josh]

I do the same thing when turning (onto other streets). When slowing down, I put it in nuetral and use the brakes also. I feel it uses less gas and doesnt wear on my car as much as engine braking.

[Pennyfreak]

i also do the same. i tried downshifting through the gears when coming to a stop to help slow it down but that just wears out ur clutch and transmission faster and is too much of a hassle.

[Bbill528]

pads and rotors are cheaper than a transmission.

[Tino]

I go in N when slowing down unless on a turn, got so adapted to it i do it in automatics now also.

[TrueSlide]

downshifting when coming to a stop is bad? I always used it, of course the car was low rpms, never had effects on my transmission or anything :-/

[Tino]

nah its not, I used to do it, I everyone has their own technique.

[randybunctious]

i like to shift 4th to 2nd, it makes the back end loose. i know i will probably loose my transmission in the road someday but hey...drifting destroys tires and a transmission for my car cost as much as a set of tires for most people. well cost as much for me anyway

[jEzTeR]

Downshifting to slow down without using the brakes is bad.If you clutch brake downshift clutch brake downshift its not so bad.I like to slow down using the brakes and then choose which gear to go to depending on speed.Brakes owne!:D

[Nismo1182]

when you downshift do you revmatch the gear your downshifting too? i only do it when the light is a bit far from me otherwise i use my brakes. I just replaced my clutch, i dont want to do another anytime soon.

[n00b240]

i guess for me it depends on the situation, i find my self just going easy on the breaks in neutral. usually when im far from the light, if i need to brake more agressively i revmatch then downshift. but im usually at 2k rpms. i take it thats what you mean by revmatching? its nice to know yall got the same strat as other people when shiftin, I taught myself how to drive a stick but never asked how other people do it. also most my friends drive automatics and i havent been in to many friends cars who drive sticks. i guess whatever makes you feel right

can anyone shift from 2nd to 4th?

[Zydeco]

gas at $2.10 for 89 per gallond i dont downshift any more plus all that transmission and brake crap.

[Phax]

Generally I find that I tend to ride out gears, and am usually nearer the lower end of the RPM range, than the upper when I'm slowing down. I use lots of brakes, and keep the transmission engaged to keep that consistent feeling to it. Except in panic / sudden stop conditions... then it's heel toe all the way down until the car is stopped.

When it comes to breaking the rear end loose, I find a sharp tug of the wheel and a blip of the throttle gets the job. How long that blip needs to be, depends on where in the RPM range the engine is, and when the boost comes on.

[Bubba1]

Coasting in neutral is never a good idea. You will not be able to correct a skid as well if it happens. If you have to accelerate suddenly to avoid another car, you lose precious time being in neutral. Don't give me that "I'm real quick at shifting if I get in trouble" crap. it's still not as quick than if you were already in gear. You should also try to finish your downshifting before you enter a turn. Downshifting to a lower gear aides in braking and does not harm the transmission/clutch unless you do it wrong. I have 188K miles on my S-13 with the original clutch and transmission, I use the gears to slow down all the time. My car's been through literally thousands of upshifts and downshifts. It's how you shift that's important, not how many times. Enjoy

[Bubba1]

Hey Jez, not so. It depends on the situation. The best way to stop is to coast. Slowing down on icy roads, a smooth downshift without brakes can be more effective than tapping the brakes alone which could induce a skid. On a race track you need to brake and downshift simultaneously if you want good lap times.

[jEzTeR]

Hey Jez, not so. It depends on the situation. The best way to stop is to coast. Slowing down on icy roads, a smooth downshift without brakes can be more effective than tapping the brakes alone which could induce a skid. On a race track you need to brake and downshift simultaneously if you want good lap times.

On slick raods downshifting in the Spec V is a big No No!I guess the touque is too much.I found that its better to stay at low RPM's and use the brake sparingly.On the race track all things are dif mainly because what ever damage you do to the car you can fix after the race.Like new clutch/transmission.

[Jusepi97sx]

never really liked braking in neutal.... only at very low speeds.. most of the time i downshift (if necesary) or jsut keep it in gear and coast to a stop and then take it out of gear at that last moment.. braking in neutral isnt' always good.. at high speed or lets say above 40-50 mph your trying to stop a 2000+ object with just the brake pads.. an automatic tansimition downshifts in situations like those, so why wouldnt you do so with a manual?..

[n00b240]

yes thats right, if im goin like 50 and im in a panic condition im not gonna bust the car in neutral to slow down only on brakes. i downshift when i think its needed, but if i believe im aware of my surroundings, ie heavy traffic (most of the time) or light traffic, im coastin in neutral to the light