Learning to rev match downshift .. any tips?

[LoveBunny]

I think it just takes practice because to me it's just by feel/sound, but I couldn't specifically explain it. My mom went over it a lot with me when I was learning to drive so I guess I should consider myself lucky to have had the benefit of getting the hang of it in her Volvo.

[profpenguin]

If you are interested, search "downshift heal toe" on youtube.com. There is even one video of Senna in a white NSX with a camera showing his feet.

Cheers

[nefarious986]

Yeah, youtube is a good resource to watch, although there's also 5 min videos of some random guy showing you how to downshift .. just a regular downshift .. and him practicing it. LOL.

[stephen wilson]

Shifting into neutral without the clutch won't hurt anything as long as there's no load on the transmission from either acceleration or deceleration. You actually don't need to blip at all for the 1st downshift. For example: cruising in 4th with light throttle, lightly "preload" the shifter towards neutral with your hand, lift off of the gas, and the shifter will pop into neutral when the load is released from the engine/transmission.
Steve

[pbanders]

As others have suggested, the best way in the beginning to learn these techniques is to find an open, straight, safe road, and learn how to smoothly move from 4th to 3rd. Once you've gotten comfortable with this, you now work on other transitions, and at different speeds.

You'll find quickly that in "real life" situations, such as approaching a corner that requires braking while shifting, that you'll need to add in heel-and-toe technique to your downshifting. You'll need to experiement with what kind of foot placement works best for you (depends on your feet, flexibility, pedal configuration, etc. ). As your comfort level and ability grow, you can progress to using these techniques under more and more difficult situations, including on the track.

Learning the basics won't take long - becoming proficient will take longer - real mastery can take years. I'm still working on improving my techniques and I've had cars with manual boxes for 30 years.

[pbanders]

Another tip to note here is how you actually use the lever to engage the gear you're downshifting to. For the smoothest and lowest effort engagement, try the following (4-3 downshift example):

1. Lift and declutch, push lever out of 4th into neutral (fingertips or open palm, easy movement, hand stays on lever)
2. Blip throttle (blip should bring engine speed above matching speed for 3rd engagement - you figure this out by sound, feel, experience, etc.)
3. Push lever towards 3rd until you feel synchro engagement (fingertips or open palm)
4. Increase pressure until revs match and the lever slips into gear (heel of your palm)
5. Release clutch smoothly (a subject in itself) to complete the shift.

This method is in opposition to simply pushing the lever straight through from neutral into 3rd. The brief pause against the synchro assures the speeds are matched and wear is minimized, as well as smooth engagement.

[pbanders]

Like EERacing says, most of us "old timers" learned on cheap cars. Me, it was a Honda Accord. You just need to take it easy and build up your skills if you're starting with your new Porsche.

One of my girlfriends had a VW Bug with a 4-speed manual that I used to drive. The synchros were completely shot so I had to learn how to double-clutch to downshift without grinding. The clutch would also come out of adjustment regularly, so I also learned how to upshift without using the clutch, and eventually, how to downshift without the clutch, too. I also had to learn how to get it home when the clutch wouldn't declutch at all, which is exciting at stoplights (stall it at the light, put it in gear, release the clutch, and turn the key when the light turns green).

Originally Posted by pbanders

Like EERacing says, most of us "old timers" learned on cheap cars. Me, it was a Honda Accord. You just need to take it easy and build up your skills if you're starting with your new Porsche.

One of my girlfriends had a VW Bug with a 4-speed manual that I used to drive. The synchros were completely shot so I had to learn how to double-clutch to downshift without grinding. The clutch would also come out of adjustment regularly, so I also learned how to upshift without using the clutch, and eventually, how to downshift without the clutch, too. I also had to learn how to get it home when the clutch wouldn't declutch at all, which is exciting at stoplights (stall it at the light, put it in gear, release the clutch, and turn the key when the light turns green).

Hey PB, are you old enough to remember rolling clutch starts? Great for sneaking away for whatever reason you might need to sneak away...

[FTD]

When my father taught me how to drive, he took me to quiet hilly roads and we did things you wouldn't normally do in everyday driving but really got me moving forward in leaps and bounds with the manual concepts. The best was to hold the car with the clutch [instead of brakes] on an incline. Then he would say, OK move forward [more gas, slowly letting clutch out/engaging] then hold it, then go backwards x feet [disengage clutch], then throttle and engage, hold, etc. Working up and down gears and learning good throttle and clutch management, on an incline, is brilliant training.

Great comments here on down shifting. I didn't realize it was such an art, or a ballet if you will. Now I will be mentally grading myself to see if I am actually doing it in the steps described.

I especially think heel/toe training at the onset is smart. I forget to do it, until I need it. NOT a ballet on my part.

[70Sixter]

The difference with older cars to me is that the revs fall sooo much faster. Modern computer controlled engines with emission controls come down so slowly I have begun to wonder the benefit of double clutching unless you have a race prepped engine. You don't have to baby the syncros as much and are less likely to beat the syncros in the modern cars.

Maybe I need to learn to drive the Box completely differently from the 914. As an old timer who learned on what are now old cars I guess I need some new tricks.