 Downshifting Question |
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 Mar 10 2004, 01:14 PM
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#1
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NSX is timeless  Group: Members Posts: 2,862 Joined: 26-December 03 From: Indiana Member No.: 395  |
When I downshift while driving, how can I make the transition smoother? Let's say I was in 5th coming to a stop light and slowing down, then the light turns green so I drop into third or second and then release the clutch, right after that the car jumps forward a little, how can I avoid that?
This is regarding a 91 Accord LX just to let you know. |
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Mar 10 2004, 02:21 PM
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#2
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 I will stand, or I will fall. But I will not sit. Group: Members Posts: 13,576 Joined: 4-September 03 From: Somewhere between Chicago and Indianapolis Member No.: 58 Car: Miata & RX-7 |
Throttle bliping. It saves you on clutch wear too. Basically all you do is right before you let the clutch out you give the car a tiny little bit of throttle to push the revs up. Let your foot off the gas and let the clutch out and you should get a much smoother transition.
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Mar 10 2004, 02:24 PM
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#3
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 Stuck in the Tundra Group: Members Posts: 2,380 Joined: 6-October 03 From: Wisconsin Member No.: 106 Car: 2005 Honda Civic EX, 2000 Dodge Durango R/T |
I miss driving manual.
 That's one reason I'm itching to get a new car. edit: Oh yeah, what he said is the best way for a smooth downshift. |
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Mar 10 2004, 02:27 PM
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#4
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 HONDA - BOY Group: Banned Posts: 3,653 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Chicago Burbs, IL Member No.: 35 |
You have to match the RPMs...
Meaning... when you go into 3rd or whatever gear.. you have match the RPMs for that speed... Example with my car. (This WILL NOT match the speed and RPMs of your car). I am going 65MPH in 6th (about 3500 RPMs).... I want to get more power to pass someone... I will push in the clutch, put it into 3rd gear... Give my car gas so the RPMs go up to around 6500 then release the clutch. This is all done with smooth movments... You have to get a feel for what rpm your car will be in from one gear to the next. The best way to figure it out is just to practice and get a "feel" for it... Like my RPMs I said are guesses cause I never look down while I do it.... I just know how it "feels". Hope that makes a little sence to you... |
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Mar 10 2004, 02:46 PM
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#5
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NSX is timeless Group: Members Posts: 2,862 Joined: 26-December 03 From: Indiana Member No.: 395 |
Thanks Dakian and Black RSX!
 I'll give it a try tomorrow mogulmonster, why don't you drive a manual now? I find it much better than automatic, gives driving something more to do than push pedal and point steering wheel. |
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Mar 10 2004, 02:48 PM
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#6
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 Race Driver Group: Members Posts: 4,531 Joined: 26-August 03 From: So Cal Member No.: 14 |
you're also probably lifting the clutch too quickly? maybe
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Mar 10 2004, 02:51 PM
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#7
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NSX is timeless Group: Members Posts: 2,862 Joined: 26-December 03 From: Indiana Member No.: 395 |
QUOTE(5LiterMustang @ Mar 10 2004, 02:48 PM) you're also probably lifting the clutch too quickly? maybe I think in general I am lifting it a bit too quickly, thanks for reminding me, gotta work on that |
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Mar 11 2004, 06:05 AM
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#8
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 Mmmm that feels nice. Group: Admin Posts: 11,193 Joined: 26-August 03 From: Atlanta Member No.: 2 Car: 2018 Hyundai ES/1994 Mazda Miata |
What gets on my nerves is I let my friend drive my car (He let me drive his SRT4) and on downshifting he was engine braking. It really annoyed me so I had to point out to him that I didnt want him to do that. I know it cant be good for a tranny, right?
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Mar 11 2004, 06:34 AM
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#9
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Stuck in the Tundra Group: Members Posts: 2,380 Joined: 6-October 03 From: Wisconsin Member No.: 106 Car: 2005 Honda Civic EX, 2000 Dodge Durango R/T |
QUOTE(AgaBooga @ Mar 10 2004, 04:46 PM) mogulmonster, why don't you drive a manual now? I find it much better than automatic, gives driving something more to do than push pedal and point steering wheel. I inherited the Crown Vic (aka Grandma tank) and I got the Aurora for a great deal. My plan was to get a Ranger / Tacoma w/manual about a year ago, but for some reason, my wife loves that stupid Crown Vic.  So, now if I want a car I enjoy driving, either the Ford has to die or I have to sell my Aurora.
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Mar 11 2004, 06:53 AM
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#10
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HONDA - BOY Group: Banned Posts: 3,653 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Chicago Burbs, IL Member No.: 35 |
QUOTE(Cyclone @ Mar 11 2004, 09:05 AM) What gets on my nerves is I let my friend drive my car (He let me drive his SRT4) and on downshifting he was engine braking. It really annoyed me so I had to point out to him that I didnt want him to do that. I know it cant be good for a tranny, right? According to what I have read online and seen on TV... Engine breaking is fine... I have friends that do it too.. I aways thought it would put a big strain on your engine/drivetrain.. (I actauly have found myself doing it a little here and there lately... not sure why). I believe even in my Acura manual they say to do that to save the wear and tear on your brakes... but I would rather wear down the brakes than my engine... It just does not make sense to me... 
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| Guest_Lee7_* |
Mar 11 2004, 07:57 AM
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#11
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Guests |
QUOTE(Black RSX @ Mar 10 2004, 05:26 PM) You have to match the RPMs... Meaning... when you go into 3rd or whatever gear.. you have match the RPMs for that speed... Example with my car. (This WILL NOT match the speed and RPMs of your car). I am going 65MPH in 6th (about 3500 RPMs).... I want to get more power to pass someone... I will push in the clutch, put it into 3rd gear... Give my car gas so the RPMs go up to around 6500 then release the clutch. This is all done with smooth movments... You have to get a feel for what rpm your car will be in from one gear to the next. The best way to figure it out is just to practice and get a "feel" for it... Like my RPMs I said are guesses cause I never look down while I do it.... I just know how it "feels". Hope that makes a little sence to you... 3500 rpm at 65mph?!? You sure about that? You should be at like 2000 in a six speed... Hell, even my 4 speed auto does 70mph at ~2000 rpm. |
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Mar 11 2004, 08:09 AM
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#12
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HONDA - BOY Group: Banned Posts: 3,653 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Chicago Burbs, IL Member No.: 35 |
QUOTE(Lee7 @ Mar 11 2004, 10:57 AM) 3500 rpm at 65mph?!? You sure about that? You should be at like 2000 in a six speed... Hell, even my 4 speed auto does 70mph at ~2000 rpm. Hmmm yeah... I will have to check on that... Like I said... I was sorta guessing... I'm not sure.... Maybe I can test it out on my lunch break.... Edit: Actualy.. I know my car is doing around 2000 RPMs in 6th doing 45mph... So at 65 it has too be closer to 3000 |
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Mar 11 2004, 09:21 AM
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#13
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 Shift Noob Group: Members Posts: 91 Joined: 6-March 04 From: in the 98051 of WA Member No.: 632 |
60MPH in 5th gear is exactly 3000rpm in my 89 celi
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Mar 11 2004, 09:45 AM
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#14
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I will stand, or I will fall. But I will not sit. Group: Members Posts: 13,576 Joined: 4-September 03 From: Somewhere between Chicago and Indianapolis Member No.: 58 Car: Miata & RX-7 |
QUOTE(Black RSX @ Mar 11 2004, 09:52 AM) According to what I have read online and seen on TV... Engine breaking is fine... I have friends that do it too.. I aways thought it would put a big strain on your engine/drivetrain.. (I actauly have found myself doing it a little here and there lately... not sure why). I believe even in my Acura manual they say to do that to save the wear and tear on your brakes... but I would rather wear down the brakes than my engine... It just does not make sense to me... Logically I put it this way. If a transmission can put power through one way, why cant it help absorb power the other way. Bonus points if anyone here knows just how engine braking works. |
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| Guest_Lee7_* |
Mar 11 2004, 10:26 AM
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#15
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QUOTE(DakianDelomast @ Mar 11 2004, 12:45 PM) QUOTE(Black RSX @ Mar 11 2004, 09:52 AM) According to what I have read online and seen on TV... Engine breaking is fine... I have friends that do it too.. I aways thought it would put a big strain on your engine/drivetrain.. (I actauly have found myself doing it a little here and there lately... not sure why). I believe even in my Acura manual they say to do that to save the wear and tear on your brakes... but I would rather wear down the brakes than my engine... It just does not make sense to me... Logically I put it this way. If a transmission can put power through one way, why cant it help absorb power the other way. Bonus points if anyone here knows just how engine braking works. Uses the engine for slowing the car down by turning the crankshaft over without the engine making any power (or very little idle power). Basically uses the engines internal pumping (in)efficiencies as a brake. Which is why Rotaries would not slow the car down very much, they are too efficient with no pistons, valve springs, etc.  Engine braking wont damage the engine, hell you are SUPPOSED to do it in the mountains and stuff, instead of riding the brakes. |
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Mar 11 2004, 10:41 AM
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#16
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 Talkin' the talk since 2003 Group: Admin Posts: 28,271 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 27 Car: 2004 VW GTI 1.8T |
Actually Lee7, most of the braking an engine provides isn't due to friction, it's due to the compression.
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Mar 11 2004, 10:50 AM
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#17
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HONDA - BOY Group: Banned Posts: 3,653 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Chicago Burbs, IL Member No.: 35 |
Side Note: On lunch I drove my car to 65mph in 6th... I was at 2900 RPMs... so I was 600 off... not too bad for a guess...
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Mar 11 2004, 10:52 AM
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#18
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Talkin' the talk since 2003 Group: Admin Posts: 28,271 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 27 Car: 2004 VW GTI 1.8T |
My car's quite simple...in 5th gear you just multiply the revs by .024 to get your speed....so at 2500 RPMs I'm going 60, at 3000 RPMs I'm going 72, at 4000 RPMs I'm going 96, etc.
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| Guest_Lee7_* |
Mar 11 2004, 10:53 AM
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#19
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Guests |
QUOTE(clarkma5 @ Mar 11 2004, 01:41 PM) Actually Lee7, most of the braking an engine provides isn't due to friction, it's due to the compression. Yeah, and rotaries only have 2 rotors and 1.3L, so again they wouldnt be very good at engine braking. Valve springs also take up tremendous amounts of power, especially if roller lifters are not used. Just simply converting a small block chevy from flat tappet lifters to roller lifters and cam can net you up to 40hp. I could sit on some of my Crane cams Chevy small block srpings and still not fully compress them, and i weigh 185. |
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Mar 11 2004, 10:56 AM
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#20
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Talkin' the talk since 2003 Group: Admin Posts: 28,271 Joined: 27-August 03 From: Seattle, WA Member No.: 27 Car: 2004 VW GTI 1.8T |
Well, yes, this is true, but my point is that the reason rotaries aren't good at engine braking isn't due to their relative simplicity, it's their small size and low compression.
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