changing down gears..

wijcc · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:40

When you change down gears, say if you are driving along in 5th gear and brake & slow down.. the most appropriate gear now is 3rd gear do you:

a) change down directly to 3rd gear or

b) change down to 4th then to 3rd gear?

I use method a.

bailey12856 · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:42

same i would just go to 3rd

triggerthat · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:42

I normally use A, only if I am sure my speed will be around 30.

Ak!ta · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:42

Change directly to appropriate gear.

Phate · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:42

wijcc said:
When you change down gears, say if you are driving along in 5th gear and brake & slow down.. the most appropriate gear now is 3rd gear do you:

a) change down directly to 3rd gear or

b) change down to 4th then to 3rd gear?

I use method a.

Is it that time of the month already?

I swear we have monthly threads on gear changes.

A) But I also rev it if I'm going abit fast, plus it allows for a smoother gear change.

Raymond Lin · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:44

Brake to appropriate speed and then clutch down and then into 3rd.

loltim · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:46

Nazbit · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:46

Option A, straight there once speed is correct.

ThomP · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:50

saitrix · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:54

A, best way is to match revs as you bring the clutch up, puts less strain on the synchro.

wijcc · 23 Mar 2007 at 12:58

the reason i ask is that, i went on a rally driving experience recently and the instructor said when i dropped from 5th to 3rd gear, no he wanted me to change down gears: 5th to 4th then 3rd gear, even though 3rd gear was the most appropriate gear???

Stonedofmoo · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:01

Aye, match revs and then A.

loltim · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:01

wijcc said:
the reason i ask is that, i went on a rally driving experience recently and the instructor said when i dropped from 5th to 3rd gear, no he wanted me to change down gears: 5th to 4th then 3rd gear, even though 3rd gear was the most appropriate gear???

Yeah but thats rally driving, we're answering as though you meant on the road?

5,4,3 would be faster and smoother into, and around a corner I would have thought.

Bunka · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:07

Yup, 5,4,3 will mean that there is less chance of the wheels losing grip on gravel etc.

saitrix · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:08

wijcc said:
the reason i ask is that, i went on a rally driving experience recently and the instructor said when i dropped from 5th to 3rd gear, no he wanted me to change down gears: 5th to 4th then 3rd gear, even though 3rd gear was the most appropriate gear???

Yes because you don't have the time to match your revs etc so it isnt so harsh going 5-4-3.

EddScott · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:45

I'm not sure I get what you guys are on about.

Are you waiting for the revs and speed to drop to a point where you miss 4th and go to 3rd?

I change down through the box in order with a little blip if needed to match engine/transmission speed.

Only time I can think of going from 5th to 3rd is to overtake (with a bit of throttle fiddle if it needs it)

saitrix · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:47

EddScott said:
I'm not sure I get what you guys are on about.

Are you waiting for the revs and speed to drop to a point where you miss 4th and go to 3rd?

I change down through the box in order with a little blip if needed to match engine/transmission speed.

Only time I can think of going from 5th to 3rd is to overtake (with a bit of throttle fiddle if it needs it)

Say like coming up to a roundabout at 70, braking for it and changing to 3rd to go round it as it is clear.

al123 · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:55

A - The way I was taught.

Simian · 23 Mar 2007 at 13:57

al123 said:
A - The way I was taught.

Yepski!...

I sometimes also go 3-5 if I'm accelerating Hard too!...

Del Lardo · 23 Mar 2007 at 14:01

On the road 5-3 or even 5-2 as it's a CR box. On the track down through the gears as it reduced the chance of the rear wheels locking up under hard braking as you bring the clutch back up.