I just got my Scion tc with a manual tranny. This is the first car that I've ever driven with a manual transmission. I was wondering if anyone can drop some knowledge on driving stick. I think I got first gear down but feel free to comment. Also, what is downshifting and how is it performed properly? How does downshifting when slowing down compare to shifting to nuetral and just using the brakes?

 

Just some info I found while searching...

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...t=downshifting

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...t=downshifting

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...ghlight=manual

 

hey yo...ok here we go....i learned how to drive stick on my tc and i have had not too many problems...ok first off...it is like dancing...one foot goes up the other goes down in first gear from a dead stop...a good thing to do is go to an empty parking lot and try to find the spot when u press down on the clutch where the rpms start to go down...that is around the area u want to be when u start applying gas...ease off the clutch when u feel the accelerator catch...after that its pretty basic...downshifting is when u down-shift going around a turn or whatever else...the way to do that is as u r approaching a turn...u gonna wanna put it in a lower gear and keep ur foot on the clutch...take the turn and when u r nearing the apex of the turn, tap the gas, then release the clutch...with practice, it gets easier...a common way to do this is the heel-toe method...anyway...remember not to get frustrated with this...stay calm and make sure that u get the shifts right so u dont mess up ur tranny....aight i hope this helped..peace :D

 

Thanks for the info. In regards to downshifting, I think I got it. Downshifting is for turning and complete stops and not for slowing down from high speeds. I thought it was a hassle to downshift because what I thought before was when stopping from fifth gear I'd have to downshift through the entire gear box 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Stop. Down shift once, close to the speed your slowing down to, and make sure you got the right gear for your speed right? Thanx again for the info. I'm having fun learning so far.

 

yeah man u got it...when im coming to a stop from 5th i usually just put it in neutral and then brake....yeah when u downshift u wanna try to match where the rpms would be, then u release the clutch...but just have sum fun with it...its not too bad...aight later :D

 

The best way I think one should learn is to first just simply understand the concept of driving with a manual....then try in a beater car...and then drive ur awesome tC the right way. but of course not everyone has the resources to do this or not...I learned manual on a motor bike which for some reason was more comfy for me to get used to...and just then one day I felt like driving my cousins boxster and basically keep the concept in ur mind and let the clutch out SLOOOW lol...once u learn of the sweet spot...then ur set man...have fun with it.

 

uhmmm to correctly DOWNSHIFT ...

YOU SHOULD ROW THROUGH ALL THE GEARS


like when im slowing down from 5th .. i brake till i get to the speed that is good for 4th ......downshift to 4th ...all the while breaking to slow down more ... and you go through the gears till you get to first

 

Brakes are much cheaper to replace than a clutch. A good rule of thumb is only use downshifting to slow down in an emergency. Otherwise, either stick it in neutral or wait 'til about 1,000 RPM to push the clutch in.

 

brakes may be cheaper.. but the PROPER way to downshift is to row through the gears ... its all a matter of preference

i prefer to have my car in gear at all times

incase of an emergency where i need to gas it in a split second... i can just press the gas .. verse having to know what speed i'm at and then match it to the correct gear... shift from neutral to that gear and then go

its just much easier that way

 

That's a good point, and it is a little awkward when you're in neutral and the light turns red and you're going 30mph...I just have a good feel on how fast I'm going and what gear I need to go to, so it's no prob, but for a beginner, they may want to take the "row" approach to braking.

To more directly answer your questions, HellRaizeRtc:

Q1: what is downshifting
A1: Shifting from a higher gear, such as 5th, to a lower gear, such as 4th.
Q2: and how is it performed properly?
A2: I've been watching RPMs pretty closely, and I've found that it's okay to downshift when you reach 2000 RPM in any gear, so if you're in 5th gear, and you're slowing down, when you hit 2000 RPM is a good time to downshift into 4th gear, and so on for all the gears.
Q3: How does downshifting when slowing down compare to shifting to nuetral and just using the brakes?
A3: As Soon2BxB says, it's really a matter of preference. I prefer not to downshift when braking, as I feel it saves the clutch. Soon2BxB prefers to downshift through all the gears when braking as he feels he has more control when braking because the car is always in gear (and there is definitely some validity to that.) Someone else may say that they like to downshift while braking because it's easier on the brakes (because the engine is actually helping slow the car down as opposed to being in neutral where it's all brakes.) (Of course, brakes are cheaper than a clutch, so that would be silly reasoning, imo.) But, as far as I know (and I'm definitely no expert) there's no real advantage or disadvantage that is significantly greater one way or another, so it's a matter of preference. Again, though, I'm no expert. I'd be interested in hearing what the "gearheads" have to say about this...

 

On the whole "saving the clutch" thing... You really shouldn't be wearing the clutch anymore by downshifting if you do it correctly. There's a difference in using your engine to slow you down and using your clutch to slow you down. I've noticed alot of people say "using the engine" when in reality they're sitting in 5th, shifting to 4th, then easing the clutch back onto the flywheel and essentially using the clutch as a brake pad. Bad idea!!!.

If instead, you rev the engine up to the proper rpms then make the shift into a lower gear, you're not killing the clutch at all. Then engine slows you down when you start reving it past say 3k rpms into the next lower gear. (Which I avoid doing. That's why there are brakes on your car.) It can be an ok thing to do as you're coming to a corner if you don't know how to heel toe (which I can't). It just feels weird because you're wanting to slow down but giving it more gas. Counter intuitive.

 

downshifting is exactly what it means. to down shift to a lower gear.

it is done by selecting a lower gear and rev matching the engine speed to ground speed. you will know what i mean after a bit more of driving.

when you downshift for braking. it will use the engine to assist in braking. this will stop the car much quicker than just putting the car in neutral and braking. i only use this when it is required. (i.e. when im about to hit a deer or something of that nature)

 

normal downshifting is for going straight. for example, you needed to pass a 18-wheeler on the highway and need more power, downshifting is a option. downshifting can be used to slow down your car at any speed, not just at high speeds.

:? why would you need to downshift at a complete stop?

downshifting while braking can be done by using the heel toe downshift. this is downshifting while going through corners. i do not recommend this for beginners. you can try this later on with more experience.

http://www.driftsession.com/drift_te...oeshifting.htm

 

Listen to eeyoredragon about downshifting - the man knows what he is talking about. The proper technique takes some practice, but you have a lot of opportunities to learn it - every time you brake - try it.

 

dont worry about the shifting just dont grind the gears and u will be fine.

 

Thanks veryone for your inputs. However, new questions have come into mind.

1)What is double clutching?

and

2) The gears won't grind as long as I got my foot on the clutch when I shift, right? Can gear grinding occur even when the clutch pedal is down?

 

hell,

here's the situation .. . what type of shifting you use depends total on your situation. . .

..straight line - say your going to stop at a red light and your in 5th
1. if you have enough distance, put her in neutral and coast to a stop
2. if you're running short on distance, it may be wiser to brake and downshift to a lower gear (especially if you're on a wet surface)

. . short turns - these are turns that you get in and out of quickly
1. put in the clutch and brake accordingly, place in proper gear (dictated by speed) and let the clutch out and go
2. gearhead version - this is driving on the edge of vehicle's capabilities - you want to get in and out of the turn as quickly as possible (quickest deceleration). . this involves wheel braking (applied by the brake pedal) and machine braking (applied by downshifting). .when you hit the apex of the turn you will be free to accelerate (sometime even before the apex). . .the car will aready be in gear, thus giving you instance acceleration ..

. . .long turns - these are gently bending turns, that may not even require downshifting
1. leave it in gear
2. if rpms drop too low, it may be best to downshift
3. gearhead version - a gearhead always wants to feel the acceleration and thrill of driving. . most likely will involve a downshift, but not if it will result in the rpms getting to high as a result of the downshift. .

. . interstates - usually have long turns meant to maintain high speed .. mostly likely a downshift is not necessary unless coming into traffic or trying to gain speed to pass other vehicle (see passing truck example). .

to answer your more recent questions.. . .

. .double clutching is for truckers and rigs, it does not apply here . .. i suggest doing an internet search to find out more, if curiosity strikes you . . .

. . .as long as you have the clutch to the floor, NO gear grinding will occur. . . it only happens when you get caught in between shifting and letting the clutch out ..


. . some further info about driving manual transmissions. . .

. .since you're a beginner, try not to have the radio on periodically, . .. listen to the engine . . the car . . . it will tell you if you're doing something it doesn't like. . .

. . don't try and look cool (like having your set way back) .. . get your setting in the best driving postion .. . pedal and stick accessibility are critical to driving MT efficiently . . .

.. . if you got an MT, i would assume that you're somewhat of a driving enthusiast .. . educate yourself about what it is to drive . . . how the driver, car, and environment interact with one another. . . . so much of driving has been tainted by cupholders, cigeratte lighters, navigation systems, cell phones, etc. .

.. .go to a racing school . .. from around $500-1000, you can learn a lot about driving .. . .taking turns, skid correction, proper braking, etc. . . it may seem like a lot of cash, but if it helps you avoid an accident, it will be worth it . .and some insurance companies will even give you a credit for it. . ..

.. i know this may seem like a lot, but it's worth it. . . just work on the small stuff and rest will come with experience

. . enjoy

z

 

zilasram... very nice post. Thanx.