what's the proper way to shift?

[450whpGSX]

I have heard that using the brakes to slow down while keeping the car in gear will wear you tranny out. is this true or do you have to put it in neutral then apply the brakes to slow down? what shifting techniques do you guys use when driving?

 

[eclipsegsx9797]

would u rather buy brake pads or would you rather buy a new trans, brake with brakes not the trans.

 

[tim_korn_99]

Wait a second here.... So, you are saying that by using the engine to help slow you down will cost you a tranny? I don't buy that.... When im slowing down, i'll heel-toe brake and match my revs to the next lower gear, so that the engine will help hold back a little bit. I dont see anything wrong with that... as long as you dont downshift to second at like 50, then there shouldnt be a problem. That's just my opinion.
-Tim

 

[2fast2furious]

I think it's best explained, why where out your clutch ($600+ if not doing it yourself) vs doing breaks for $60-100? And yes you will eventually where out your motor, and synchros quicker by constantly using your motor to brake the car.

 

[paranoidTSi]

Engine breaking will wear your CLUTCH out, not your transmission. The price ratio is clear, your clutch is more expensive than your brake pads. So do yourself a favor and use your brakes.

My method? Slip into neutral and use the brakes.

 

[kyledykstra]

Engine breaking will wear your CLUTCH out, not your transmission. The price ratio is clear, your clutch is more expensive than your brake pads. So do yourself a favor and use your brakes.

My method? Slip into neutral and use the brakes.

Exactly! I know people who downshift through every single gear, every single time they stop, and they wonder why their clutches wear out in 30K miles or so.

 

[450whpGSX]

so which is best?

 

[Diceman19]

i normally just hit the clutch and then use the brakes to slow down. once i realize that i am going to fully stop or at least have to downshift, i will put it in the proper gear and let the clutch out once the car is ready to go again. i dont think that would have any adverse affects since technically the clutch is not engaged and the motor is revved down. just my method.

 

[midnght]

i normally just hit the clutch and then use the brakes to slow down. once i realize that i am going to fully stop or at least have to downshift, i will put it in the proper gear and let the clutch out once the car is ready to go again. i dont think that would have any adverse affects since technically the clutch is not engaged and the motor is revved down. just my method.

Not busting on your method, but that seems alittle taxing on your clutch. If you are holding your clutch in for the period of time it takes to stop at a light and then go again that just sounds like and extended period of time. Putting alot of pressure on key parts of the clutch system


On topic:

The most simple way to slow down is to put the car in neutral and using your $50 brake pads. If you bought some nice ones they might just last you a few miles.

 

[Diceman19]

Not busting on your method, but that seems alittle taxing on your clutch. If you are holding your clutch in for the period of time it takes to stop at a light and then go again that just sounds like and extended period of time. Putting alot of pressure on key parts of the clutch system


On topic:

The most simple way to slow down is to put the car in neutral and using your $50 brake pads. If you bought some nice ones they might just last you a few miles.

well on that note, i normally dont hold it in for very long because i am lazy. i just didnt want to type a book. i will often put it in neutral if i am sitting at a stop light.

 

[VtecRex]

I slip mine into neutral every time i let off the gas.

 

[MyEclipse5]

my problem is if im at a light and i put it in Nuetral, when the light turns green i am like "crap, put it in gear" and it will either:

A. not go into gear
B. Grind into 1st

So then i have to let the clutch out, put it in, shift to second, then back to first(sometimes this helps) and then i can go. Sucks!

So ill usually watch the other light, or just hold in the clutch.

 

[truwarrior]

I just leave it in gear and when the rps get low around 2000K I pop the clutch and shift into neutral.

 

[b17tuner]

Press clutch in, shift to next gear.

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

I slip mine into neutral every time i let off the gas.

yup

 

[Kuroko Rei]

genrally ill put teh clutch in rev it to the proper rpm range for that gear and put it in that gear. i dont see that it could do alot of damage to the clutch if you match up the rpms the clutch isnt rubbing to get the engine upto speed with the transmittion. It may be bad for the clutch but its because of habit of driving commercial trucks those need to be downshifting to assist with stopping

 

[AdoreGSX]

so its bad to leave it in gear and depress the clutch and brakes when stopping? From what I gathered from this, I take it what I need to be doing is just slip it into neutral, and use the brakes...

I have trouble on my AWD launch sometimes...sometimes it will be super clean, but most of the time it is sloppy if i'm actually trying to get on it....

 

[Defiant]

Weird stuff.

NEVER go to neutral, unless at a stop. Then, always go to neutral and with your foot off the clutch.

I always double-clutch downshifts, but I've grown weary of trying to enlighten the luddites, so I don't care much if you do or not. It's your synchros.

On upshifts I kind of stutter-shift, loading the synchros and giving them a chance to work before engaging the next gear.

 

[treebonker]

I have heard that using the brakes to slow down while keeping the car in gear will wear you tranny out.

Seriously, he must have been pulling your leg.

Engine braking will not wear stuff out to be of any concern on any part. And in case someone didnt know, thats the proper way of braking. One should not go into neutral when slowing down, only when you're about to stop. I'd rather be safe than worry about my clutch wearing out.

my problem is...A. not go into gear B. Grind into 1st...Sucks! So ill usually watch the other light, or just hold in the clutch.

Holding the clutch down on red lights isnt gonna do harm if you plan on fixing it any time soon.

 

[paranoidTSi]

Weird stuff.
NEVER go to neutral, unless at a stop.

so you should be at a complete stop if you use neutral? Just wondering why?

 

[Diceman19]

doesnt make much sense to me either, although i dont know much about transmissions.

 

[ryu]

doesnt make much sense to me either, although i dont know much about transmissions.

yeah me to...when i had a manual, i would put it into neutral anytime i was sure i would need to stop or slow down to second.nuetral rolls saves gas also guys!never held the clutch. only pressed the clutch when shifting.you guys rev match?are we talking street driving? i can understand the "fun" factor and the "cool sound" factor but give me a break. or better yet just use your brake. enless you are in autox or you drive a semi you dont need to do heel n toe. ill have to admit. it was fun when first got my car but d.c. traffic took almost all the fun out of driving...anyways. i guess it could help to break faster in an emergency tho?

 

[VtecRex]

so you should be at a complete stop if you use neutral? Just wondering why?

I think he was just commenting on previous remarks. But you dont want to just hold in your clutch the whole time. That will prematurely wear-out either your pressure plate or your throw-bearing.


Like I said earlier, just slide it into neutral any time you plan on declerating. This way everything can do what it wants independently of the other. You engine will idle, and your drivetrain will just go the speed the road is. Just make sure that if you do have to start accelerating again, put it in a higher gear then you would thing your should be in.

 

[Diceman19]

your drivetrain will just go the speed the road is.

you mean to tell me that the road moves?

 

[siceclipse]

i've always heard to downshift to brake.
1: over use of breaks causes them to heat up, glaze over and not work properly.
2: theres just something about the engine and tranny spinning at 2 different speeds and at the same time being so so close together.