The Heel and Toe Downshift

[joe603]

The Heel and Toe Downshift

The heel to toe down shift is nothing but a technique used in downshifting the manual transmission car. The general public may not be aware of this technique but the drivers of a race car will be using it all the time. This technique is not all that simple, hence one need to master it as there will be lot of benefits like reduced wear and tear, efficient and better control for the driver.As mentioned already the heel –and-toe down shift is a complex procedure as it involves feet of the driver, right hand of the driver, and gear shifting lever and all vehicle pedals. The very purpose of the heel- and- toe downshift is to match the speed of the engine and the speed of the wheel.Here is the step by step procedure to heel-and-toe downshift. This procedure explains the shifting of gear from fourth to third. The procedure is the same for any downshift.1. Start breaking the corner with the help of your right foot. The positioning of the foot on the pedal is dictated by the location of the pedal and the foot size. In general the foot should be positioned on the right closer to the throttle.2 press the clutch with the help of your left foot.3. Now keeping the foot on the brake, try and roll the outside of the right foot to touch the throttle. This will be easy if the pedals are positioned closer. Then, using the outside of the right foot, blip the throttle. This is nothing but raising the rpm of the engine to match the speed of the wheel. There are many factors involved in determining the right amount of revs but in general 1000 -2000 rpms more is required than the engine rpm for one down shift.4. Next you need to shift the shifter to third gear.5. Now you need to release the clutch using your left foot.The critical point in the whole procedure is matching the rpms in order to match the new gear. in case the bliping too much the engine rpm will be more than the wheel speed as the result the rpm will be forced to drop down once the clutch is released. In case the bliping is too less, the rpms will be forced to increase. In both cases the car will jerk visibly.If you do the heel and toe down shift right and you can feel that the down shift is smooth and satisfying and you will like use the procedure again and again. For doing this and mastering this procedure you need not to be a race car driver or you require a race track. This procedure if used in the street, there will be improved safety. During some emergency condition you may have to brake suddenly and accelerate quickly. Heel and toe downshift procedure will keep your car in best position in order to get the maximum acceleration.It is really fun doing it. There is improved safety to driving. It reduces the wear and tear of the car. Hence better learn it now.

- I should mention that I found this a while ago on the net, and saved it to my PC...I'm not the original author
Modified by joe603 at 2:43 PM 1/16/2007

[infinititech1]

takes some practice

[redtop91]

Try that in a 240sx and you'll learn difficult.

[G_whizz]

I was trying to learn double clutching...I thought being a drummer would help with my co-ordination.... still hard as hell! IMO

[infinititech1]

umm double clutching? thats just basically rev matching when you down shift...thats actually pretty easy

[C-Kwik]

douyble clutching is actually pressing the clutch in, shifting to neutral, releasing the clutch and pressing it in quickly and shifting to the desired gear, then releasing the clutch to engage the gear.

There is no need to do this on a newer vehicle though. They have syncros that match the shaft speeds for you. This was a technique that was needed before syncros were used though.

[G_whizz]

Really?? theres no real advantage for better run times when you double clutch?

I thought there was. thanks (as always CK)

and Infinititech...if you find it really easy... you have excellent co-ordination , I consider myself a pretty solid driver, but I'm having a tough time learning this properly.

[cobrajet]

C-Kwik is correct in that double-clutching is not needed on any modern and functional synchronized transmission. Semi trucks, old cars and road race cars, and a newer car with a blown synchro require the technique.

If you have the '60's movie 'Bullitt' available, watch and listen to Steve McQueen double-clutch his '68 Mustang in the infamous chase scene. Pretty cool. Other old race car movies probably demonstrate the technique, too.

G_whizz, I don't understand how this technique would give you a better run time. Might help your synchros live longer if performed correctly but then you are pumping your clutch pedal twice as much per shift cycle so I guess you can wear out the TO bearing faster.

Double-clutching is just not needed in a street car with a functional transmission.

Heel-and-Toe, however, is a great technique to learn just don't practice it in traffic till you have made the transition and don't get confused from traditional to H&T. Since picking it up in the '80's, I use it daily now, but I'm one of those guys that prefers using my heel on the brake and toe to 'blip' the gas vs the more 'traditional' way. It's just more natural to me....but I see either orientation being used by drivers on the track. I set up my pedals so the brake is a little higher than the gas at rest, but even with the gas with moderate brake pressure so it's easy to work the gas at that point. also, being able to heel-and-toe makes it real easy when leaving from a steep driveway or hill so you don't have to use your e-brake to hold the car in place, or worse slip the clutch to hold your position.

[G_whizz]

Good info...Thanks!

I don't own Bullit but I have seen it a few times! Awesome chase scene!

Hmm...maybe I'll try the whole heel-toe technique.

Thanks guys

[C-Kwik]

Really?? theres no real advantage for better run times when you double clutch?

Yeah, no magic in double clutching. I've seen two misconceptions on double clutching. One, is Vin Diesel's line about it in the Fast and the Furious. The damage control needed after that movie is rediculous.

The other was one where people seemed to think popping the clutch and getting that kick helped to increase the speed, so why not do it several times instead of just in one gear? It's total nonsense and I recall a big debate years ago with some kid who swore it dropped his times significantly by popping the clutch twice for each gear. It was an entertaining discussion at best.

[BigWill]

- I should mention that I found this a while ago on the net, and saved it to my PC...I'm not the original author

Modified by joe603 at 2:43 PM 1/16/2007

I am SO glad you added that at the end. I was seriously worried about your ability to put full sentences together!

Ok... I wasn't THAT worried, but it was kind of a tough read.

[pancho y onions]

I can barley twist my heel to reach the gas pedal, so i just keep my right side of the foot on the brake and use my left side for gas. This method is a bit easier than using ur heel....thats if u have a wide feet, and works the same way.

[Sprjin]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=lJA...earch= ... D...earch=

this links above shows you a visual description of how to heel toe shift!!picture's worth thousand words.. maybe video's worth a million!

gotta go practice!

[cobrajet]

Practice away and enjoy your car at a 'higher level', just one warning....do not practice in traffic!

[joe603]

Here's a good vid!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0j-...earch=

[G_whizz]

Great vids...that heel and toe thing looks a lil confusing...hmmmm yes ....I sense much practice in the near future !