Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas FR-S
If I'm facing your situation, I try to be very delicate and smooth while downshifting into 1st... However, before I do so, I make sure my engine speed slows / matches with the speed of the car itself. I try my level best to get as close to 5 miles (if not lesser) as possible by braking a tad more if needed, then I blip the gas for a smoother transition to 1st.
As others have mentioned, you don't HAVE to downshift into 1st if 2nd is already adequate.
Remember to downshift only if you need to build up speed, don't downshift to slow your car down... That's what the brakes are for. (Just felt like adding this extra point since it can become a common mistake - I picked this knowledge up from the book called 'ULTIMATE SPEED SECRETS by Ross Bentley... Highly recommend reading it!)  |
downshifting to slow the car down is a common practice utilizing the "compression" of the engine as a brake to LESSEN wear on the brakes over a period of time.