shifting ques

[mitsuclipsegsx]

i am new to 5 spd so i am learning not doing too bad, but i have a question...... say i am in 4th gear and I have to stop at a light is it better to just put it in neutral or downshift from 4th-3rd and 3rd to 2nd i figure putting it in neutral becasue i rather chnage brakes then a tranny but my friends say its better to downshift, what should I do?

 

[Jackyll]

...putting it in neutral becasue i rather chnage brakes then a tranny but my friends say its better to downshift, what should I do?

I think I read in a different thread that most people feel the same way. I usually just put it in neutral myself... after replacing my tranny once already I'd rather need new pads then have to go through that again. Just my 2 cents, i'm sure others will share theirs

 

[DSMSpyder99]

slap your friend in the face :laugh: let him wear out his synchros downshifting. Just put it in nuetral

 

[bhop]

There was a big thread a while back that covered this kinda stuff

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146696

 

[450whpGSX]

There was a big thread a while back that covered this kinda stuff

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146696

Yup, it helped me.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

""http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146696""

thanks, helped me alot ....to put it into neutral

 

[polarmoment]

does your friend ride a motorcycle?
only reason to downshift like that is if it's a sequential gearbox like a motorcycle has.

 

[mitsuclipsegsx]

" polarmoment does your friend ride a motorcycle? "

nope a vr6.......
i have another ques, when i am parked should i keep it in neutral or in gear, I mostly do neutral casue of the turbo timer but my friend , said in winter its better to put into gear..... maybe i need new friends......

 

[bhop]

""http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146696""

thanks, helped me alot ....to put it into neutral

Huh? Did you read the whole thread?


It's fine if you downshift regardless of what's been said here already. I've been doing it for over 15 years and my clutches and trannies have been fine. 15 years of driving manuals is enough experience to have enough knowledge on the subject i'd say.. If you want to coast to a stop, that's fine too. But downshifting (engine braking) won't hurt anything unless you don't know what you're doing.

Parking, I always leave mine in neutral also because of my turbo timer, UNLESS i'm on a very steep incline that makes me worry about the parking brake holding. Then i'll put it in either reverse (if the car is pointing downhill, or first (if the car is pointing uphill), to use the engine/tranny as an extra safety brake.

The comment about the winter.. well, the time of year really makes no difference.

 

[oldman]

There are some benifits from down shifting. I down shift when it's wet or snow, it gives me better traction and control. Sometimes I do it just to scare the guy next to me.

 

[mike markota]

I do either


BUT I ALWAYS LEAVE MY CAR IN GEAR

 

[Spyder FX]

As long as you rev match the downshift from say 4th to 3rd to 2nd. You will do no damage what so ever to your transmission, and it will still slow your car down, and also help your clutch last a little longer. In order to properly rev match, you gotta have a rough estimate what rpms the engine will be at in the lower gear for the speed you are traveling. That takes a little practice though.

 

[Defiant]

We're not doing this all over again.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146696
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45049