downshift to first

[swpbrz]

I was watching a review of the brz where the driver mentioned doing a lot of downshifting to first on slow very tight corners to keep the power up.

I was curious ,so I've been noodling a little. I had always assumed it was bad for some reason because it was pretty difficult when I first started. But with some practice I can get a pretty consistently smooth downshift to 1st if I blip the throttle just right. At maybe 5 -15 mph.

If I do this and the shift feels smooth is there any other possible problem with downshifting to first? I hear a lot of people say never do it, but I'm not sure if it's just because itis a little trickier, or it is actually bad for the car to do it regularly.

[AdrianG]

There is no problem with downshifting to first in this car. Some cars (particularly older ones) don't have a synchro on first gear, which is why a lot of people believe you need to be completely stopped before shifting into first. This transmission has a synchro on first, so it's safe to downshift as long as you are smooth.

[cjsporl1996]

Originally Posted by swpbrz

I was watching a review of the brz where the driver mentioned doing a lot of downshifting to first on slow very tight corners to keep the power up.

I was curious ,so I've been noodling a little. I had always assumed it was bad for some reason because it was pretty difficult when I first started. But with some practice I can get a pretty consistently smooth downshift to 1st if I blip the throttle just right. At maybe 5 -15 mph.

If I do this and the shift feels smooth is there any other possible problem with downshifting to first? I hear a lot of people say never do it, but I'm not sure if it's just because itis a little trickier, or it is actually bad for the car to do it regularly.

I can't imagine it being great for the car in fact many people mentioned that it is very difficult to get it into first at those speeds. I have been forcing my car into first for sometime now and now the car has become so used to it that it shifts into first fluently at a little over 10 mph. It does make a noise when you try to force it into first. Anyway its up to your discrepancy.

[wheelhaus]

It's perfectly fine, but it's such a short gear that the synchro has work a little harder if you're moving at speed, which is why you feel more resistance than normal. The slower you're moving the more easily it will engage. Rev matching will help smooth clutch engagement and prevent a lurch, but does nothing for the synchros unless you double clutch.

DC isn't required, but can help get into first easier.

[humfrz]

hmmmm...... if you can get it into first while rolling without grinding....I reckon it will not hurt anything.

However, unless you are going up a steep hill, around a hairpin curve, on a gravel road, at 14,000 ft, with a loaded car .... I don't see any reason to downshift that far .....


humfrz

[executivekoala]

1st gear has hardened syncros from factory, they are made to take abuse. Also just rev match and you are fine

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by humfrz

hmmmm...... if you can get it into first while rolling without grinding....I reckon it will not hurt anything.

However, unless you are going up a steep hill, around a hairpin curve, on a gravel road, at 14,000 ft, with a loaded car .... I don't see any reason to downshift that far .....


humfrz

Tight autoslalom turns is why, if you're down to like 30km/h it's going to bog like crazy in 2nd.

I find that you almost have to double clutch the rev match to make it go smoothly, and the faster you're going the more true that is.

[swpbrz]

Originally Posted by cjsporl1996

I can't imagine it being great for the car in fact many people mentioned that it is very difficult to get it into first at those speeds. I have been forcing my car into first for sometime now and now the car has become so used to it that it shifts into first fluently at a little over 10 mph. It does make a noise when you try to force it into first. Anyway its up to your discrepancy.

I'm definitely not talking about forcing it in. if I get any resistance I try another throttle blip or settle on 2nd if I'm in traffic. But there does seem to be a very smooth way to get into first if you nail the rev matching. its just more finicky I think because first gear is so high strung feeling. So if your not within a couple hundred rpms of the sweet spot for your speed it feels crunchy. I try not to force it then.

[Turdinator]

Double de-clutching will make it even easier to do but you may find there is enough clutch drag that just rev matching is good enough. I do it all the time in my car and have done it in numerous other cars I have owned without issue.

[vividracing]

I was taught never to so I never really tried.

[JimmyMac]

Been doing it. I find it helps in tight corners as well where 2nd gear will bog when you get on it.

[radroach]

Had no problem downshifting to 1st at my last AutoX, just downshifted like normal because I needed the extra power!

[Gilwith1l]

I really don't see the taboo in downshifting to first. Do it all the time with no issues

[ZionsWrath]

Just learn the tach for first gear and you won't have any problems. The only time I have problem with first is if the gearbox is cold but then I'm not trying to when its cold