Preferred downshifting method?

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Wired86

Wouldn't heel toe just be:

1) Clutch in
2) brake + blip throttle (heel toe)
3) shift to lower gear
4) release clutch


So exactly what was said above, plus braking?

Reverse steps 2 and 3 and you're good. This is to rev-match and engage a target gear while threshold braking. Rev match is especially important while threshold braking because the rear wheels are already unloaded. Dumping the clutch to engine brake in a lower gear would be a fast ticket to swapping ends.

You're not going to be threshold braking anywhere except driving 10/10 on a track. Heel-toe is pointless on the street.

[spicyricecake]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Reverse steps 2 and 3 and you're good. This is to rev-match and engage a target gear while threshold braking. Rev match is especially important while threshold braking because the rear wheels are already unloaded. Dumping the clutch to engine brake in a lower gear would be a fast ticket to swapping ends.

You're not going to be threshold braking anywhere except driving 10/10 on a track. Heel-toe is pointless on the street.

what he said... I need to go to sleep

[Wired86]

Okay, sounds good.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

You're not going to be threshold braking anywhere except driving 10/10 on a track. Heel-toe is pointless on the street.

Just wanted to add emphasis.

[Romanov]

I heel toe downshift just to piss everyone off. #becauseracecar

Just kidding, typically I just Rev match on the street from best practice. That's just what I've learned and it helps smoothen out those downshift. Heel toe is really unessisary on the streets.

[Wired86]

Update: Did this this morning while coming up to stops and it worked really well, especially when just before I got to the light and it changed green, I was already in the right gear to go!

Clutch in
Lower gear
Blip throttle
Clutch out



Also, when doing this I am really not braking at all. What if some half-wit jabroney behind me doesn't realize that I am slowing down since I am downshifting instead of coasting in with brakes and he doesn't slow down and plows into my rear? I mean I suppose I will already be in gear so that I can get out of the way, but still, there's a lot of hosers out there on the road. Lol. Should I tap the brake once while I'm downshifting just to let the simpletons know that I am slowing down?

[berkbrzfan]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Over thinking the whole thing once again! If it feels right do it. If not don't.

Right!

When I learnt manual, all I was taught was higher gears for higher speeds and lower gears for lower speeds. Once you start driving more, you begin to find ways to fine tune the technique and remove the jerks and stalls. You begin to understand what needs to be done for a smoother downshift.

In fact, I didn't know what rev matching was when I first heard it. Once I read about it, I realized I was already doing it. Just that I didn't know what it was called!

Originally Posted by Wired86

Update: Did this this morning while coming up to stops and it worked really well, especially when just before I got to the light and it changed green, I was already in the right gear to go!

Clutch in
Lower gear
Blip throttle
Clutch out



Also, when doing this I am really not braking at all. What if some half-wit jabroney behind me doesn't realize that I am slowing down since I am downshifting instead of coasting in with brakes and he doesn't slow down and plows into my rear? I mean I suppose I will already be in gear so that I can get out of the way, but still, there's a lot of hosers out there on the road. Lol. Should I tap the brake once while I'm downshifting just to let the simpletons know that I am slowing down?

I wouldn't use downshifting as your main method for slowing down or braking for the reason you mentioned but also because it's cheaper to replace brake pads than it is to replace a clutch.

Sent from my SM-G530W using Tapatalk

[spicyricecake]

I just feel safer being in gear when I'm slowing down.

I'm also the type to brake early rather later so as I'm coming to a stop I'm on the brake with different levels of pressure the whole time, and thus heel-toe to downshift during this process. I don't typically downshift to 2nd if I'm not taking a slow turn though cause that's a pain. Usually all the way to 3rd and shift into neutral is good enough.

I will say however that I do notice the braking is a lot easier with engine braking going on, and now that I'm used to it I don't like braking without it. If you're like me and like to have fun, just do it... Don't worry about saving brake pads or clutch and shit.. just replace it down the road. The point is to have fun with the car while you have it. If you're not doing #racecar stuff to have fun because you'd rather replace brake pads instead of the clutch years down the road, then you're not having as much fun on the car as you could IMO.

Granted, those that baby the car (I do too, if you could believe me) also enjoy the car to the threshold they're willing to take the risks with.

Just do what makes you happy

[Wired86]

Originally Posted by spicyricecake

Just do what makes you happy

Downshifting makes me happy. I will still occasionally brake if need be, but I think it is likely that I will downshift most of the time just to remain in gear. I will just have to keep a close eye on the hooligans behind me. haha

[Wired86]

Originally Posted by berkbrzfan

Right!

When I learnt manual, all I was taught was higher gears for higher speeds and lower gears for lower speeds. Once you start driving more, you begin to find ways to fine tune the technique and remove the jerks and stalls. You begin to understand what needs to be done for a smoother downshift.

In fact, I didn't know what rev matching was when I first heard it. Once I read about it, I realized I was already doing it. Just that I didn't know what it was called!

I have way too analytical of a mind to not figure out all the technicalities and such. Haha. That's why I love engineering explained.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

You're not going to be threshold braking anywhere except driving 10/10 on a track. Heel-toe is pointless on the street.

Thought about this last night. It does take quite a bit of practice. Nothing wrong with practicing.

[ajaxthebetter]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Thought about this last night. It does take quite a bit of practice. Nothing wrong with practicing.

I guess this is where I'm a bit ignorant mechanically, but if I'm driving to "keep the tach straight up" I will brake, clutch in, blip as I'm moving it through nuetral, grab gear, release. Everything I've read says blip and grab gear, not grab gear and blip. Wouldn't it be difficult to get into second if you didn't blip prior when at an aggressive rpm?

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

Just wanted to add emphasis.

I don't think that's good emphasis, but rather just apply COMMON SENSE towards using the appropriate technique for the situation at hand.

You can't really break down a combination of simultaneous fluid actions with individual steps.

Too much reading and overthinking, OP should just get out and start practicing.