Downshifting
- Thread starter Leeum
- Start date
Soldato
I'm finding it quite hard getting used to the whole blipping thing. I find myself blipping the throttle then jumping off the clutch before the revs drop back to idle (if that makes sense) - normally resulting in a crappy downshift. Practice makes perfect I guess. 
I'm finding it quite hard getting used to the whole blipping thing. I find myself blipping the throttle then jumping off the clutch before the revs drop back to idle (if that makes sense) - normally resulting in a crappy downshift. Practice makes perfect I guess.
the whole point is so that the rpm DOESN'T drop back to idle, what are you doing?!
Soldato
I'm finding it quite hard getting used to the whole blipping thing. I find myself blipping the throttle then jumping off the clutch before the revs drop back to idle (if that makes sense) - normally resulting in a crappy downshift. Practice makes perfect I guess.
Heel and Toe driving never lets the RPM dip to idle, thats the point of it.
1. Approach corner and brake
2. Dip clutch (soem cars dont even need this, I still do it just incase i balls it up)
3. Whilst still braking move foot over and blip throttle (blip enough to match revs with lower gear when its engaged)
4. Lift clutch and gear should engage smoothly with rev match
Sorry for my pants wording - I've had a few too many Stella tonight.
My understanding is, if I want a lower gear then the rpm (in that gear) is going to be higher than in the current gear. While selecting the lower gear, I blip the throttle to bring the revs at (or just above) the rpm the crank will be in the lower gear.
I find myself coming off the clutch too quickly to ensure the revs don't drop off below the level needed for the lower gear.
Consigliere
Sorry for my pants wording - I've had a few too many Stella tonight.
My understanding is, if I want a lower gear then the rpm (in that gear) is going to be higher than in the current gear. While selecting the lower gear, I blip the throttle to bring the revs at (or just above) the rpm the crank will be in the lower gear.
I find myself coming off the clutch too quickly to ensure the revs don't drop off below the level needed for the lower gear.
you mean you are blipping it too much and dumping the clutch while the rpm is too high, giving you a jolt of acceleration? If so, then you need to judge how much gas you give it better. Practice this in a straight line whilst no braking, if you make a screw up whilst blasting into a corner it won't be pretty.
Soldato
Soldato
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- 7 Feb 2004
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Oh I can, I'd be suprised if they said they didn't.
Soldato
Who said they do it all the time? I use it every now and again, but not much.
That sounds about right. Cheers for the advice - I intend to get some practice in over the summer. I've been driving almost a year and have never blipped the throttle before on downshifts - it's taking a bit of getting used to.
Is it just me or does rev matching/ the heel and toe technique use a lot more petrol?
Soldato
Is it just me or does rev matching/ the heel and toe technique use a lot more petrol?
No not really, it just that your probably spending more time at higher revs whilst trying to do it properly.
I tried the "blipping" thing as an experiment coming from 4th to 3rd on a sharp turnoff today and the change to 3rd didn't lurch (although it wasn't a heel & toe thing.. more a slow down, dip clutch, and just before the bite hit I "blipped" the accelerator).
I can't help but think that forward planning and appropriate speed negates the need for this though? Surely it's for when you're ripping around like Gary Glitter on his way to a 10th birthday party?
I can't help but think that forward planning and appropriate speed negates the need for this though? Surely it's for when you're ripping around like Gary Glitter on his way to a 10th birthday party?
No, on any downshift the rpm has to increase, it's better in many ways to do this by blipping the gas rather than dragging the engine up to speed by slipping the clutch. Maybe 'blipping' is a little strong, when driving gently the throttle only needs to be gently caressed. Sometimes I will just keep the throttle position the same while downshifting, seems to work well in situations when cruising at 30 in 4th, arriving at a hill then putting in 3rd to avoid slowing down. This gives a really smooth change 100% of the time, speed is maintained without moving the throttle at all and the engine doesn't get laboured, win all round.
Soldato
I always blip the throttle on downshift in my Focus.