sewebster Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 So I am a new manual transmission driver (pathy is my first) and I'm wondering how to best downshift when going up a hill. What I seem to do is hit the hill in 4th or 5th and eventually realize I want to downshift. Then I do one of two things. I shift and let the clutch out slowly, but if I'm slow then I end up slowing down so much before I'm on the gas again that I need to downshift AGAIN because I'm out of the power band. OR I let the clutch out reasonably fast and there is a huge jerk as the engine is rocketed up to speed. Now my transmission is kinda hosed, so maybe that doesn't help, but does anyone have any tips here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 only tips i can say is practice practice practice... I only honestly pay attention to my tach when on the highway to guestimate my speed without looking at my gps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingman Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Rev match. Don't take your foot completely off the gas pedal when you put the clutch in, That'll raise the RPMs a little so they're closer to where the lower gear will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Precise1 Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Exactly. Look at it this way, if you up shift from 4th (at 55 mph and 3000 rpm) to fifth and in fifth you are doing 55 and 2500 rpm, the inverse change has to go the other way to downshift. You need to raise the rpm from 2500 to 3000 for a smooth downshift from 5th to 4th, but I am only using the numbers as examples so they probably aren't correct. Don't over think it, just pay attention to the car's noise and vibration in a given gear before you shift and this is what you will need to mimic to downshift. It should be a 2-3 second procedure if done correctly. Lightly grab the shifter (so it can follow it's pattern), depress the clutch about 1/2 way while pulling the shifter back to 4th gear and slightly stepping on the gas more than it is, locking it in 4th and letting the 1/2 clutch back out. Go somewhere you can practice a few in a row and simply pay attention what the truck wants you to do, it's really that simple. That said, I have seen almost everyone (no matter how good) miss a gear shift so don't get frustrated if it happens. One more thing, if your motor or tranny mounts are seriously damaged, no one will be able to shift it right so have someone with experience hive it a spin. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewebster Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Hmm, interesting. I forgot to mention that I am familiar with the concept of double clutching, but have no experience in reality. But what you guys are describing sounds easier, more simple. I guess I have it stuck too much in my head to always push the clutch all the way down, and to have zero throttle while moving the shift lever. I'll try to do it more by feel... probably I'm not causing too much of a problem as long as it doesn't feel like I'm forcing anything. Transmission needs work anyway so now is a perfect time to practice! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunya Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 That said, I have seen almost everyone (no matter how good) miss a gear shift so don't get frustrated if it happens. B I've driven stick since I could reach the pedals, I still miss a gear every now and then or stall not paying attention pulling out in too high of a gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY1PATH Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 yeah, don't throttle down to zero. you just need to ease off enough that the RPMS don't jump up while stepping on the clutch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now