Importance of downshifting?
#1
Importance of downshifting?
I have read a bunch of things about our gears or synchro's going bad but one thing that sparked my interest was one person stating that he/she always downshift to lower speed (like when exiting the off ramp) like it was the correct thing to do.
I downshift and stay in appropriate gear to take curves but just let my car coast most of the time when exiting the offramp (and then shift into the appropriate gear if needed) and coming to a light with no one in front of me. Would downshifting at times like this just create excess wear and tear on my engine/drivetrain?
I downshift and stay in appropriate gear to take curves but just let my car coast most of the time when exiting the offramp (and then shift into the appropriate gear if needed) and coming to a light with no one in front of me. Would downshifting at times like this just create excess wear and tear on my engine/drivetrain?
#2
You're car wears out more under acceleration and cold startup than it does exiting an offramp. Staying in gear is safer is case a runaway elderly driver is headed straight for you; every second counts when getting out of the way. If you are smooth and can revmatch (NOT double clutching - there is no need to "double clutch" with today's machinery) then you can make the transitions a lot smoother and less prone to wear. Normally, I just let my car slow down in fifth until RPMs get low enough that I need to put it in a lower gear to accelerate again.
#3
Originally Posted by Going 2B LE8
I downshift and stay in appropriate gear to take curves but just let my car coast most of the time when exiting the offramp...Would downshifting at times like this just create excess wear and tear on my engine/drivetrain?
#5
I let the rev's coast down too, just wondering if letting it be completely in neutral was any worse. I guess it's not that big of a deal, with the exception of the runaway grandpa.
#6
Originally Posted by Going 2B LE8
I let the rev's coast down too, just wondering if letting it be completely in neutral was any worse. I guess it's not that big of a deal, with the exception of the runaway grandpa.
#7
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From: Turkey Town (Gobble-Gobble)
i usually only downshift in a race situation in any car. Otherwise i pull the car out of gear and use the brakes to slow myself down... If i'm at around 3000rpms give or take i'll usually coast in gear untill i feel i can effective stop without laying on the brakes, then pull it out of gear or if the revs get too low...
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#8
being in neutral at anytime (while in motion )is very dangerous,you have to brake much harder,and its not good for engine(just like you wouldnt run 14 miles and then suddenly stop and sit down),and your totally vulnerable to losing traction as well as a greatly decreased reaction time
its just a big a moving mass of metal w/ no power to the wheels,plus this is a race car and thats just not right to drive it like a hyundai
its just a big a moving mass of metal w/ no power to the wheels,plus this is a race car and thats just not right to drive it like a hyundai
#10
Originally Posted by Monkey
brake pads are cheaper to replace than syncros but like Evotexas said - I always leave it in gear coming off the highway but coast.
#14
Originally Posted by 1QWKEVO
u should rev match whenever downshifting PERIOD... if your not already doing that then stop downshifting and use your brakes and wear those out.
#15
Thanks for all the replies. I guess every one has their own theories, all good of course.
Good point. I was just referring to when there is nobody around.
Originally Posted by jonduke
being in neutral at anytime (while in motion )is very dangerous,you have to brake much harder,and its not good for engine(just like you wouldnt run 14 miles and then suddenly stop and sit down),and your totally vulnerable to losing traction as well as a greatly decreased reaction time
its just a big a moving mass of metal w/ no power to the wheels,plus this is a race car and thats just not right to drive it like a hyundai
its just a big a moving mass of metal w/ no power to the wheels,plus this is a race car and thats just not right to drive it like a hyundai