Shifting smoothly

[Feathergun]

Alright, took a while to figure out how to get into second gear smoothly on my 2016 FR-S, but I figured it out sub 1k miles. Now I just want to confirm I'm not crazy about some other things:

- most of the shifting I do feels smooth especially in higher gears but I'm trying to figure why the car lags as if I'm downshifting going from 4th to 5th. To go up over and up again on gear shifter takes a bit longer but unless I'm in race mode and shifting like as fast I can, for normal driving it seems like I'm missing the timing of RPM drop to get into 5th before its dropped below and grabs on clutch release. Suggestions?

- can someone explain how I should handle slowing down at a right turn on red and then getting back on it to go after almost fully stopping? It hasn't been an issue other than it seems harder to put it back into first gear with the clutch depressed as I'm rolling forward. Is this because things are spinning fast after engine breaking to slow as I approach? Is there damage caused by putting more pressure on shifter to get it down into first even though the clutch is in?

Thanks.

[Teseo]

First gear have like a safety feature for preventing mis-shift to 1st gear and blown the car. So best way is to complete stop (0mph) and put 1st or double clutch technique. Also change tranny fluid with motul gear for better smoothness

[bababooey]

i can get into first going about 5-7 mph while dragging the brake & not forcing it.

if you can carry enough momentum to stay in second on the right hand, do that. otherwise if it is a right after a forced stop sign/light, your better off coming to complete stop to get to first.

im sure people behind me are always wonderin why this dude is stopping so far behind leaving such a large gap in front of me. haha, just wait yew auto yokels!

[MarkR171]

If you're rolling, just put it in 2nd. But really, you should be coming to a complete stop anyway so put it in 1st that way.

For 5th gear, I push the shift knob "away" from me diagonally up and right. It's faster than right first, then up and goes in just as easily. I guess the more you drive the car the more you will get used to the feel and shifting faster will come naturally without it feeling forced.

[NyC Zn6]

do not put the car in 1st gear if it is still rolling.

[strat61caster]

For 4th to 5th I give it a little gas to keep the revs up during the shift to keep it smooth. It's habit at this point, and it's minimal, like 1-5% throttle.

For first you have to double clutch the downshift really aggressively to make it work while the car is moving any faster than 2-3 mph, really not worth it on the street, keep it in second and clutch in wherever you feel comfortable, come to a stop then go to first. This should apply to all modern production cars in normal operating condition.

[JoeC]

Originally Posted by Teseo

First gear have like a safety feature for preventing mis-shift to 1st gear and blown the car.

It does???

I rev-match down-shift into first pretty much every day. It requires more precision than the other gears but it works fine.

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by JoeC

It does???

I rev-match down-shift into first pretty much every day. It requires more precision than the other gears but it works fine.

Its like a moronproof for preventing going on 2nd to 1st instead 3rd. But if rev match is correct, its possible like you described.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

For 5th gear, I push the shift knob "away" from me diagonally up and right. It's faster than right first, then up and goes in just as easily. I guess the more you drive the car the more you will get used to the feel and shifting faster will come naturally without it feeling forced.

Push is the right word. Almost every time I see somebody struggling with certain gears it is because they have a death grip on their knob and are fighting the shifter.
A gentle, yet firm and fast push or pull with the tips of the fingers or open palm of the hand will result in a much smoother and faster shift than slamming it around Vin Diesel style. Just need to guide the shifter not force it and when you are holding that knob tight your muscles are fighting the shift gating.


Don't:





Do (positions exaggerated for clarity):

[humfrz]

Yep, like said above, several times ...... I have found that as long as the car is moving, it will pick up from second gear.

Also, like @Tcoat mentioned, the gearshift knows how to get into the next gear ..... it just likes to have a gentle guide .....


humfrz

[Stang70Fastback]

I originally thought 1st had a lockout at more than a few MPH, but I was actually corrected by another Toyobaru owner (a female, too! Embarrassing! /sexism) who said that I just needed to match the revs better. Turns out she was right!

Going into 1st while moving is tricky because even though you know how short 1st gear is, you still tend to grossly underestimate how many RPM you need to be at to downshift to 1st while moving. If you rev it high enough to actually properly match the revs, it will go into gear at much higher speeds. It's just harder to do, and there is less room for error before things get rough and jerky because of how short the gear is.

Once I really learned how high I needed to blip the throttle, downshifting to 1st became easier. Now I just need to get better at blip ping it just the right amount quickly, like I can for the other gears.

[wbradley]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Almost every time I see somebody struggling with certain gears it is because they have a death grip on their knob

[Ultramaroon]

You guys all talking about rev matching for first gear need to learn the distinction between double clutching and rev matching.

Rev matching doesn't do shit for a rolling first-gear downshift.

I am very much in the do-not-lug-the-engine camp. If I have the time and level real estate to gently ease the car up to speed from idle in second gear I'll do it. If there's the slightest incline, I double clutch into first.

[ryoma]

release your clutch slower so your clutch doesn't jerk you around. you'll get used to it eventually. are you setting yourself up for the shifts by having your hand on the shifter and ready to pop it out of gear before you actually push in the pedal? that saves some time as well.

as for 1st gear, I can pop it into 1st when moving under ~8 MPH, but that doesn't mean I always do it. I usually just put it into 2nd when I'm creeping and only into 1st at a complete stop. right on reds are ALWAYS a complete stop, so get used to stopping unless you want to pay a good ticket.