Downshifting.. what areyour thoughts?

[lujamil]

So I was just reading thread on an American forum and they were going on about how downshifting hurts the clutch?


I'm not too sure if it has a major impact on the clutch if your matching the revs (obviously not downshifting when your already at high revs), but nevertheless I don't see how I could have such a high revving car and not downshift? Surely it's one of my fav things about the k20. Dropping a gear around a bend, can't see myself enjoying it more in a different car.


What are your thoughts? Do you guys downshift much?

Although this isn't honda related, it sure is influencing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Q4OpGCfME

 

[davidpingu]

Yep I'd say downshifting is all part of driving the car. Yeh I guess it will add more wear to your clutch but in the same way that using your brakes later prematurely wears your pads and discs.

If it were a car purely for getting around and cheap motoring I'd say yes avoid downshifting as you don't generally need to but these cars are track cars so the increased cost on consumables of driving them this way should be factored in to ownership costs I think. Just as you say, don't shift down in vtec or that may be slightly more expensive!

Vtec'd mine yesterday in 2nd and felt it go in to 1st instead of 3rd! Luckily I noticed it before letting off the clutch so corrected it!

 

[lujamil]

Vtec'd mine yesterday in 2nd and felt it go in to 1st instead of 3rd! Luckily I noticed it before letting off the clutch so corrected it!

That would have been bad :/

I honestly couldn't not downshift. Downshifting and vtech-ing have become bad habbits of mine. :xhaha:

 

[SuperFLY]

vtech-ing have become bad habbits of mine. :xhaha:

you badass!

 

[mike.williams]

Heel and toe! All the way

 

[davidpingu]

Heel and toe! All the way

I wish I could do that! Love watching the best motoring vids on YouTube with a separate cam on the pedals for all that fancy footwork

 

[Ek9.]

heel and toe isn't that difficult to learn-just takes practice.
you can practice it in every day driving situations
it'll make your driving a lot smoother

 

[maxvr6]

I think its ridiculous to say dont downshift as it wears the clutch, these are track cars out the box, its what they are made for.

Yeah it will wear your clutch faster than if you didnt downshift, but its the same as having a Lambo/Ferrari or whatever and locking it away in the garage because it might get scratched, drive it and enjoy i say!

Heal toe and rev matching isnt that difficult with a bit of practice, and that will make your clutch last longer, make your gearbox last longer, control/smooth weight transfer, and thus ultimately will be safer.

 

[Steve_DC5]

I always blip on the downshift, sometimes even a double blip.

Depends how many hotties are at the bus stop. J/k..

 

[Fubar Andy]

Dropping the down the gears is fine.

Remember, the brakes should do most of work so don't be over-revving to slow the car.

 

[_BILLY_EK9_]

very nice link, rev matching/ heel & toe are key on track for smooth weight transfer and power delivery.

 

[wj51fut]

I always blip on the downshift, sometimes even a double blip.

Depends how many hotties are at the bus stop. J/k..

Haha! Love this!

I've been doing it since I had my mini 12 years ago. A little blip here and there won't hurt it. As mentioned before, it's a track focused car. It's meant to deal with this kind of thing.

 

[wayne_teggy]

Pads are cheaper then gearboxes ! Use them

 

[Steve_DC5]

Pads are cheaper then gearboxes ! Use them

What about when your wanting to drop from 6th to 3rd for an overtake then?
Nothing worse than a none blip down change feels freaking awful.

 

[DC5_Bonson]

Another advantage of using Heel and toe is to keep the car balance while entering corners. It's one of the most important driving technique of motorsport. So learn it!

 

[wayne_teggy]

Its So useful to know out on track