Downshifting

[Pska]

Ok, so this MSP is my first standard car... I taught myself how to drive, I think I do just fine... is there anything wrong with downshifting? I was told its good to downshift, saves on brakes; but does it really mess up your clutch? Im not talking about downshifting to 3rd at 80kmph or anything, just as I'm slowing down I shift down through the gears...

any other tips on how to not destroy my car would be nice like when I start up I suually slowly let off the clutch, and then shifting between gears I put the clutch all the way to the ground, is it smarter to just push down to the grab point? I've been deiving it for 2 years now, and have had no problems, but recently during these winter months, I have noticed a burning smell or something when @ lights, and im wondering if I am frying my clutch or something... I checked the oil it seems good, a bit dirty, guess I should get it changed...


oh PS, anyone got a wrecked MSP with a good driver's-side fender? I dented mine

 

[smo0f]

i'm not sure about the smell, but sounds like you got the gist of it.

 

[Mr. Win]

your ridding you clutch a lil much... prolly clutch burn, please enlighten us on the smell.

 

[smo0f]

your ridding you clutch a lil much... prolly clutch burn, please enlighten us on the smell.

I'm in the process of inventing a device that will be able to transfer odors electronically. Will keep you all updated.

 

[Mutmatt]

really? crazy cool!

 

[oldzoomer]

downshifting is better for aggressive driving, especially if you know how to rev match.
conventional logic states that the wear and tear on tranny and engine is worse than wear/tear on brakes so don't downshift.
I've downshifted for years and have never worn out a clutch.
Always fully depress the clutch and don't let it even partially out while idling. in or out is best....anything else is slipping which generates heat and causes abnormal wear.

 

[MrDiggler]

See here as well. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123623931

 

[Sveivo]

If you downshift, it's best to rev-match, like was already said. Otherwise you make the synchros work hard, and they don't like that, esp. on a protege.

I learned the theory from these videos. I hope the links still work. They should.

http://standardshift.com/videos.html

 

[chuyler1]

^^^
Those videos are all dead links.

 

[Sveivo]

Edit: I have local copies, would there be interest?

 

[MrDiggler]

Yeah, I for one would like to see those. Thanks.

 

[DE31]

can you email them to me at haloprodigy117@yahoo.com or just PM me and tell me how you want to send them. thanks

Edit: I have local copies, would there be interest?

 

[Sveivo]

How about I post them here!

Just a sec.

 

[Sveivo]

Uploading...taking a while

 

[MrDiggler]

Good luck. My upload just crapped out with one 8 MB Quicktime movie of my car on the dyno.

 

[Sveivo]

Good luck. My upload just crapped out with one 8 MB Quicktime movie of my car on the dyno.

I had a problem as well when I went to "upload files." Then I tried doing an attachment, and it said that file is too big. It's only 5 megs.

Oh well!

 

[Pska]

well someone posted something bad so now i cant read the 1st page @ work

 

[chuyler1]

Any update on the videos? I'd love to show them to my fiance. I'm trying to teach her to drive my car but she gets nervous.