changing down gears..
- Thread starter wijcc
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My instructor told me changing to 4th then 3rd is the old method they used to have to teach but now you can go straight to 3rd.
Modern cars have meshing anyway (i think that's what it's called) that match the revs for you if anyway and i imagine if you've slowed the an appropriate speed in 5th your revs will be close enough so there wouldn't be too much "strain" so to speak.
Once you get used to your car though you'll change to the appropriate gear without even thinking..
Modern cars have meshing anyway (i think that's what it's called) that match the revs for you if anyway and i imagine if you've slowed the an appropriate speed in 5th your revs will be close enough so there wouldn't be too much "strain" so to speak.
Once you get used to your car though you'll change to the appropriate gear without even thinking..
Soldato
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I was taught to change down a gear at a time, which is what I do, I don't like block changes because you have a little less control over the car. Single dropping on changing has saved me and my car many times as I can drop speed very quickly without locking up or losing any control of the car.
I understand the fact it mashes the syncromesh, but then that's what it's there for...sometimes I'll match revs when changing down, but it depends on the situation.
For the roundabout situation deffinatly 5-4-3, afterall you are meant to go round them, not over
InvG
I understand the fact it mashes the syncromesh, but then that's what it's there for...sometimes I'll match revs when changing down, but it depends on the situation.
For the roundabout situation deffinatly 5-4-3, afterall you are meant to go round them, not over
InvG
Soldato
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saitrix said:
Breaks + engine breaking = superiour to just the one.
I live in the countryside...down in the middle of Devon, and the number of corners/junctions that require low gears is quite impressive, which means I'd rather wear both syncro + breaks a bit than one or the other more, plus using the gears enables me for a smoother corner and pull away.
InvG
InvaderGIR said:
Breaks + engine breaking = superiour to just the one.
I live in the countryside...down in the middle of Devon, and the number of corners/junctions that require low gears is quite impressive, which means I'd rather wear both syncro + breaks a bit than one or the other more, plus using the gears enables me for a smoother corner and pull away.
InvG
I hate driving in Launceston. Fact! lol
I have to agree with you though on that
Soldato
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Simon said:
How does it lock the wheels?
No weight over them + hard braking + no power going to them?
InvaderGIR said:
Breaks + engine breaking = superiour to just the one.
I live in the countryside...down in the middle of Devon, and the number of corners/junctions that require low gears is quite impressive, which means I'd rather wear both syncro + breaks a bit than one or the other more, plus using the gears enables me for a smoother corner and pull away.
InvG
Oh no the rolleyes of death.
Anyways, I would much rather wear my brakes than wear the synchro on a car. Plus using just brakes is a lot more controlled for fast braking unless you heel and toe, which then doesn't have a braking force on the car from the synchro.
Advanced driving teaches 'brakes are for slowing, gears are for going'. Now I would say this is true, if you are having to slow down that fast then you should start to use an emergency stop method.
On roads you should be leaving yourself time after braking to get into the appropriate gear before the start of the corner. By the sounds of it you are trying to rush it too much just before corners etc. I also get tight country roads round mine, some using 2nd as a max gear. Start to plan earlier for a corner than you won't have to overlap your braking and gear changing.
By the way you spell it brakes.
Soldato
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saitrix said:
Not if they are broken
I'm illerterate
I just prefer the combination of the two as it works well with my car, often if just using the breaks (in a need to slow sharpish/stop situation) I have to use a longer distance to slow due to not wanting to lock the front end up (non ABS). Using both shortens the distance and removes/decreases the chances of it locking up.
At the end of the day though we all have our own preferences, and what works well for us is what matters really.
Previous sharp (not signed well) corner + braking has given me the incentive to use engine breaking along with the breaks...also my instructor always harped on about engine breaking.
In 'normal' situations I mostly do just use brakes as I have no need to stop/slow sharpish, but you get the occasion when you need to, and I feel that combined is better.
InvG
I'm guessing they are going on about ingear engine braking, which you should do really as it doesnt wear anything.
By the sounds of it you need to learn how to either threshold brake or cadence brake depending on the situation.
Unless your brakes are shot then you can brake just as quick with just brakes if you use them in the correct way. Using the synchro I would say you are more likely to lock up the wheels than if you just braked. This is why in emergency stops you just go for the brakes and clutch and not touch the gears.
By the sounds of it you need to learn how to either threshold brake or cadence brake depending on the situation.
Unless your brakes are shot then you can brake just as quick with just brakes if you use them in the correct way. Using the synchro I would say you are more likely to lock up the wheels than if you just braked. This is why in emergency stops you just go for the brakes and clutch and not touch the gears.
Associate
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Bug One said:
wont you need to press on the brake pedel a lot harder if you do that? the higher gear you are, on lower revs the harder it is to stop, wont you just be wrecking your brake pads?
I always change from 5-4-3 if i want to get into 3rd, I sometimes go from 4th to 2nd tho