How-To: Drive Stick Shift - A 12 step program

[bbrich57]

... I don't have the balls to try to downshift though.

I find downshifting w/o the clutch easier and safer than up shifting, and there are several techniques to do it successfully too.

But everyone else is correct when they say that it causes more wear and tear on other parts than is necessary... unless you are THAT good and match speeds perfectly every time.
Hell, I can't even do that using the clutch, and I've been driving stick and practicing for over 30 years now. (rlaugh)

 

[hotrippr]

I find downshifting w/o the clutch easier and safer than up shifting, and there are several techniques to do it successfully too.

But everyone else is correct when they say that it causes more wear and tear on other parts than is necessary... unless you are THAT good and match speeds perfectly every time.
Hell, I can't even do that using the clutch, and I've been driving stick and practicing for over 30 years now. (rlaugh)

Haha yeah that's the catch PERFECTLY very hard to do, it is easy though in upper gears3-4 or 4-5. If done perfectly no harm is done. But as we all know 1-2nd in a P5 is a PITA even with the clutch. Clutchless isnt worth the risk but it does give you a better understanding of rev matching, so that when you do use the clutch it will be seamless.

I also work on Powershifting, I have a shortshifter and it totally kicks ass when I do it properly, but obviously more wear and tear on the car. Pedal to the metal and shift!

Hill starts
Do not hold the car on a hill with the clutch not sure if this was mentioned. For hills, I use heel toe braking instead of the emergency brake or trying to get your foot over quick enuff.

For the last few years I have been trying to master heel-toe downshifts, it is difficult to master, but worth the effort imo.

 

[bbrich57]

QUOTE=hotrippr
it is easy though in upper gears3-4 or 4-5. If done perfectly no harm is done. But as we all know 1-2nd in a P5 is a PITA even with the clutch.

The higher gears are easier because they are a single cone syncro vs the lower gears that are a double cone. BUT, single cones are easier to damage that way too.


I also work on Powershifting, I have a shortshifter and it totally kicks ass when I do it properly, but obviously more wear and tear on the car. Pedal to the metal and shift!

In a P5?? Are you crazy?? You are just asking to replace a tranny... and/or an engine. They can't take that kind of stress for too long before one or the other will go away on you. They were never built for that kind of abuse.

 

[hotrippr]

In a P5?? Are you crazy?? You are just asking to replace a tranny... and/or an engine. They can't take that kind of stress for too long before one or the other will go away on you. They were never built for that kind of abuse.
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Haha, then I could get a sweet 3 HB, love the white, but silver is my fav. The way I drive I cant believe it isnt already dead. I have gotten a lot from this P5, I may just doom her in anyway with hi-boost.

 

[chuyler1]

If you guys want to discuss power shifting and clutchless shifting, that is fine. But don't do it in this thread. I posted this as a guide for people who want to learn. I don't advocate clutchless shifting and I think the majority is with me on that. If you don't want to use the clutch, buy a slush-o-matic with a triptronic shifter.

 

[bbrich57]

If you guys want to discuss power shifting and clutchless shifting, that is fine. But don't do it in this thread. I posted this as a guide for people who want to learn. I don't advocate clutchless shifting and I think the majority is with me on that. If you don't want to use the clutch, buy a slush-o-matic with a triptronic shifter.

I don't advocate clutchless shifting either though I do it from time to time.
And I definitely don't advocate power shifting a Mazda.

'Sorry for the threadjack, Chuyler1. I apologize. Didn't realize that's what we were doing.

/Threadjack.

 

[hotrippr]

Yep sorry, no more talk here.

 

[chuyler1]

Thanks guys.

 

[hotrippr]

Heel & toe is a great alternative to the E-brake on hills How do you guys heel & toe hills (foot position)?

It is not really heel toe, is more like instep and outstep, it is just called heel toe. Just practice where there isnt traffic.

 

[pr5owner]

i disagree with the last comment,

im not saying you have to do full braking and downshift (making your rotors red hot)when driving normally, but just braking and downshifting(+rev matching) to go around a corner is way better than shifting after you make the turn since you can accelerate in the proper gear OUT of the turn.

its 2nd nature to me now, i downshift every single time i have to slow down so just incase i have to accelerate again suddenly im already in the correct gear to do so.

basically you...

are going whatever speed, you brake,
rpms drop to around 2000-2500
brake, clutch, bilp throttle + downshift 1 gear, unclutch
brake, rpms drop again to 2000-2500
brake, clutch, bilp throttle + downshift 1 gear, unclutch
now you are at around 2500-3000 RPMs, and you can accelerate out of the corner

also comming up to a red light thats about to turn green, you are already in the correct gear to accelerate so instead of the light changing and you are 5th gear with no power, you are already in 2nd gear ready to accelerate again.

 

[bbrich57]

I don't know what comment you are refering to, but I agree w/everything you just said. What you mention is a part of my daily driving habits too, and has been for about 20 years now... maybe longer.

 

[hotrippr]

I think there is a comment on not using the engine alone to slow you down, I agree. You shouldnt ride the clutch to downshift is what I understood with that infamous "comment". I agree with what he pr5owner is saying, it is the only way to drive unless you are grandma.

 

[pr5owner]

ride the clutch? uhh thats not down shifting, thats grinding your clutch to dust, the clutch should never be half engaged in any case.

the clutch should be fully engaged or fully disengaged with no in between, even starting your car the clutch should be all the way out within 1-1.5 seconds

 

[pr5owner]

I don't know what comment you are refering to, but I agree w/everything you just said. What you mention is a part of my daily driving habits too, and has been for about 20 years now... maybe longer.

sorry im 5 pages behind, i was referring to the last step on the HOW TO

 

[hotrippr]

uhhhhhhhh thats not what I was saying. I said not to ride the clutch, and we are talking about downshifting uhhhhhhh.

Learn to read.

 

[hotrippr]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI5fFop57Mc&mode=related&search=
Heel toe down shifts on a sim, best to practice with first.

 

[bbrich57]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI5fFop57Mc&mode=related&search=
Heel toe down shifts on a sim, best to practice with first.

Hey! That's very cool! And a Lotus Super 7 to boot. 'Always wanted one of those.
In our cars, I don't find that much right foot activity necessary though. As someone else said, it's more of a rocking action back and forth using the ball of the foot.
Of course on that sim, the throttle is hinged at the "floor" not hanging/floating like cars are today. That can make a big difference.

 

[Rotary_Powered]

Tip for rev matching. When down shifting apply minimal force when selecting a new gear. Do NOT put the car in gear yet, while applying said force blip the throttle. The gear will "Slip" into place almost on it's own with not even the slightest increase in pressure. Take note of what RPM the shifter "slips" into place that's approximately where that gear is happy at that speed.

 

[BiGx5MurF]

dam that was pretty thorough. Have you ever tried (only works on level ground) to let the clutch out with no gas. I could do this with my 01 LX2.0 and i can do this with my 03 MSP. Give it a shot. No one could believe this. U cant just drop the clutch though. Ease it out, u might have to pump it.

Good write up though. Now everyone get out there and be somebody.

This is how I taught my ex, and a few other friends. I bring them somewhere ground level, get them to release the clutch without stalling, then start gassing afterwards. Then I have then gas sooner and sooner, getting used to gassing a lot more gently then they were used to first.

Can anyone teach me clutchless shifts?

 

[Nokkers3]

Wow great write-up! I've been driving stick for 15+ years now and this guide has shown me some of the mistakes that I've been making. I just bought a MS3 a couple weeks ago, so I'm glad I read this guide before doing any damage to it. I guess it's time to go back to the parking lot to re-learn how to shift!