Upshifting and Downshifting

[pbadss]

Originally Posted by SD987

On another note, regarding rev matching, I've lately been using the technique where I match revs (blip) on a downshift on the way out of the higher gear and it works superbly.

To clarify:

Previously:

Brake
Clutch-in
Shift 4-N (or whatever)
Blip gas
Shift N-3
Clutch-out / gas

Currently:

Brake
Clutch-in
Shift 4-3 / Blip gas while performing full shift, somewhere between 4-N
Clutch-out / gas

I'm trying to learn some better shifting habits...

I usually downshift this way..
Brake
Clutch-in
blip gas
shift 4-3 / sometimes still on gas if shifting 5 - 3
clutch out

Is this improper downshifting? I'm sure it's better to blip only when the gear is in neutral, but I feel like I might as well double-clutch if I'm waiting that long to rev-match.

comments appreciated!

[z12358]

Just read this whole nice old thread...
I still can't believe people here (US) can get a driver's licence without passing the parallel parking and the incline start tests. To pass my driver's exam in Europe (among many other tests) in a very small car I had to stop on a very steep incline with three bulky inspectors on board. Going back even a tiny bit before driving off fails you on the test. And you HAVE to pass the test on a manual car regardless of whether you own an automatic or a manual.

There is no way with a manual shifter that you can avoid going back on a steep incline without the help of a hand brake. Theoretically it may be possible but it would be a very hectic endeavor and a very nasty lurch forward for sure. I have always used the hand brake and I have never rolled back. It takes a while to master the three moving parts (two feet + hand) but it's the proper technique and it's definitely worth practicing and learning.

[denverpete]

Originally Posted by z12358

Just read this whole nice old thread...
I still can't believe people here (US) can get a driver's licence without passing the parallel parking and the incline start tests. To pass my driver's exam in Europe (among many other tests) in a very small car I had to stop on a very steep incline with three bulky inspectors on board. Going back even a tiny bit before driving off fails you on the test. And you HAVE to pass the test on a manual car regardless of whether you own an automatic or a manual.

There is no way with a manual shifter that you can avoid going back on a steep incline without the help of a hand brake. Theoretically it may be possible but it would be a very hectic endeavor and a very nasty lurch forward for sure. I have always used the hand brake and I have never rolled back. It takes a while to master the three moving parts (two feet + hand) but it's the proper technique and it's definitely worth practicing and learning.

I still can't believe they let you use brakes in Europe. Why when I took my test we had to use our FEET to stop the car - we didn't have no fancy "brakes". Parallel parking involved getting out and pushing the car sideways into the spot (I failed this the first couple of times when I rolled the car instead of sliding it).

It's funny, I've managed to not go backwards on inclines for 25 years without the use of a handbrake or without riding the clutch. Of course, maybe it's different in Europe.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by z12358

Just read this whole nice old thread...
I still can't believe people here (US) can get a driver's licence without passing the parallel parking and the incline start tests. To pass my driver's exam in Europe (among many other tests) in a very small car I had to stop on a very steep incline with three bulky inspectors on board. Going back even a tiny bit before driving off fails you on the test. And you HAVE to pass the test on a manual car regardless of whether you own an automatic or a manual.

There is no way with a manual shifter that you can avoid going back on a steep incline without the help of a hand brake. Theoretically it may be possible but it would be a very hectic endeavor and a very nasty lurch forward for sure. I have always used the hand brake and I have never rolled back. It takes a while to master the three moving parts (two feet + hand) but it's the proper technique and it's definitely worth practicing and learning.

Hi,

Each State here in the US has a different Drivers Test. In my state - Minnesota, we had to both parallel park and start on an incline, Illinois too when I took their test in the '80's...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

denverpete:
"I still can't believe they let you use brakes in Europe. Why when I took my test we had to use our FEET to stop the car - we didn't have no fancy "brakes". Parallel parking involved getting out and pushing the car sideways into the spot (I failed this the first couple of times when I rolled the car instead of sliding it).

It's funny, I've managed to not go backwards on inclines for 25 years without the use of a handbrake or without riding the clutch. Of course, maybe it's different in Europe."

Forget geography. From what little I know of physics, I fail to discern the force that would match the gravity's downward pull during the (very brief) time it takes your right foot to move from the brake to the gas pedal. I'm assuming you only have two feet and you're not using either of them to stop your car -- like they taught you during the Driver's Test.