Anyone else dab the gas on an upshift?

Are people missing the point that my car is a diesel? There's a general feeling to this thread that I should be in each gear for a lot longer. See the end of this thread...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17664206

When in steady moving traffic - 4th gear is best for 30 mph. I've driven this car for a year now and I have found 3rd too noisy for 30mph and 4th better and probably more economic.

Now when I want to accelerate fast...

1st to about 7-9 mph
2nd to about 30 mph
3rd @ 30 mph @ 2000rpm to about 45mph @ 3000rpm
Switch to 4th @ 45 mph @ 2200rpm

Max bhp is at 4000 rpm. I admit I've rarely stayed in gear to 4000 rpm but I'm pretty sure the acceleration gain over 1900 rpm is not worth it considering fuel enconomy and noise.

The jolt isn't uncomfortable but it's nice when you get rid of it with some throttle. Like I said smooth gear changes with this car occur when you change gear early. If you were to accelerate fast and therefore stay in each gear longer so you're in the max torque region, there isn't a set speed/rev point where the next gear will fall in smoothly.
 
I drive an '05 Mondeo TD (130BHP Zetec)

Never had a problem with jerky upchanges in this or any other car tbh. Reving on upchange seems to be a way of correcting bad driving rather than adding to the driving experience.

Fully understand the 'blip' the throttle on down shfting but upshifting :confused:
 
There is either an issue with your driving or with your car and it is very difficult to say which based on this post, but rest assured there should be no need to 'blip' the throttle to get a smooth up change in such a car. If you change up too early you may cause the car to 'judder' for a couple of hundred revs until it reaches the power band, and if you are not smooth with your clutch control or have an issue with your clutch you may get a judder when 'pushing on' but this is not normal in my experience.

It sounds like you could have a clutch issue, but seems more likely you may be miss timing your gear changes or changing outside the powerband of the car, all of which could cause such a problem. Perhaps you could get someone from your family to drive the car to see if they have the same problem?
 
*sigh*



Is anyone actually reading this thread? :P Im pretty sure its already been established that he mean shifting down in gears rather than shifting up.

Yes, ofc people rev the engine a little to match the rpm when theyre shifting down quick, otherwise your passengers all get whiplash :P
 
"4th at around 28 mph."

You must be driving one of these!

NurseryRhimeCar.jpg
 
Phal said:
Is anyone actually reading this thread? :P Im pretty sure its already been established that he mean shifting down in gears rather than shifting up.
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It has? I thought people were just assuming.

jonnyc747 said:
"4th at around 28 mph."

You must be driving one of these!
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:D
 
Phal said:
*sigh*

Is anyone actually reading this thread? :P Im pretty sure its already been established that he mean shifting down in gears rather than shifting up.
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...and YOU came to this conclusion how exactly? :rolleyes:
 
How long do you take to change gear? if you need to blip the throttle when changing up then you must be taking it out of gear, hesitating and then putting it into gear.

Try your hand at clutchless shifting - if you master that, then you'll know the correct amount of time for a gear change.
 
Simon said:
It's nothing to do with learning to drive, using the throttle slightly makes for a very smooth gearchange, and as mentioned is part of advanced driver training.
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My foot goes on the power just fractionally before the clutch is lefted for the same effect. It primes the engine mounts, drive shafts and bushes so when you lay the power on theres no slop.

It's just a natural thing to do thi, no need to blip the throttle or anything, just put the power on a bit before you fully engage the clutch.

Even on *** you can keep the changes smooth if you know how to drive properly. It's annoying when people change gear, engage clutch THEN put the power on becuse of the engine mount slop etc. Makes for an unconfy ride.
 
commited said:
if you want to build speed, keep accelerating in 2nd or 3rd up to peak power and then change.
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This pretty much sums up everyone's feelings so I've quoted it and I'll say...

2nd up to peak power?!

Peak power is at 4000 rpm. Another 500 rpm and it's the redline.
It would take forever to reach 4000 rpm in 2nd. Most of the acceleration would have taken place early in the rev range and if you didn't shift, you would blow the engine I'm sure as it'd be impossible to reach such a high rpm in such a low gear. You'd also look a complete arse as the engine would be making such a racket urging you to change gear. Same is true with 3rd but not as "bad" as 2nd.

My point being contrary to dirtydog's post about changing gear at peak power, it's better, in my case anyway, to change gear soon after peak torque when you feel the acceleration lacking. That way when you shift the revs would have dropped back to peak torque when the next gear is engaged.

I don't really care about the original point of this thread...I'm more concerned about your posts that reflect what I quoted above and dirtydog's point.

This is a 6 gear diesel.
 
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Ken said:
This pretty much sums up everyone's feelings so I've quoted it and I'll say...

2nd up to peak power?!

Peak power is at 4000 rpm. Another 500 rpm and it's the redline.
It would take forever to reach 4000 rpm in 2nd. Most of the acceleration would have taken place early in the rev range and if you didn't shift, you would blow the engine I'm sure as it'd be impossible to reach such a high rpm in such a low gear. You'd also look a complete arse as the engine would be making such a racket urging you to change gear. Same is true with 3rd but not as "bad" as 2nd.

My point being contrary to dirtydog's post about changing gear at peak power, it's better, in my case anyway, to change gear soon after peak torque when you feel the acceleration lacking. That way when you shift the revs would have dropped back to peak torque when the next gear is engaged.

I don't really care about the original point of this thread...I'm more concerned about your posts that reflect what I quoted above and dirtydog's point.

This is a 6 gear diesel.
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ROFL
 
Ken said:
Peak power is at 4000 rpm. Another 500 rpm and it's the redline.
It would take forever to reach 4000 rpm in 2nd. Most of the acceleration would have taken place early in the rev range and if you didn't shift, you would blow the engine I'm sure as it'd be impossible to reach such a high rpm in such a low gear.
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LOL! What are you on about?
 
Yeah I always give a little throttle when changing gears to smooth the change. You have too with the Saab, the clutch is terrible and it really snaps the whole car when it engages
 
You can laugh and I am exaggerating with the blowing up thing but I know for sure it would take you forever to reach 4000 rpm in 2nd. You would have travelled a significant amount of distance if you shift rather then wait till 4000 rpm.
 
Ken said:
You can laugh and I am exaggerating with the blowing up thing but I know for sure it would take you forever to reach 4000 rpm in 2nd. You would have travelled a significant amount of distance if you shift rather then wait till 4000 rpm.
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Oh come on! I drive the same car (140bhp MkV Golf TDI 6spd) and I can assure you that it does not take forever to get to 4000rpm in any gear other than 5th or 6th!

Have you ever had the throttle pedal all the way to the end stop???
 
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