Downshifting to 2nd or 1st while moving (technique)

TerribleONE · 03-22-2012, 03:12 PM

+1 on not going to first while your already moving... if revmatched perfectly it will go into 1st but normally the gate will stay closed.

theboydiddy · 03-22-2012, 09:44 PM

there is a pretty interesting question.... what gear should i be in going between 30-60mph and 70-90mph?
my car is brand spanking new, so i was told to take it easy on her and break her in. to NOT speed nor push the gear to its max until i reach 2k miles. i only reached 450 miles today. also it is my first manual transmission car and i haven't driven M/T in about 9 years... i feel a little lost at times. i stall it from time to time, my clutch is too high up (i think)
idk I'm just a tad bit confused.

theboydiddy · 03-22-2012, 09:48 PM

... sorry guys, but i was told as well and i am doing it. DO NOT go to 1st unless the car is at a complete stop. only first while rolling if you going up the hill and the car is not making then you downshift to 1st. but thats the ONLY time.
also after watching all the 370z reviews they all said "if you really using the S-mode you really shouldn't be driving a M/T" ... therefore i am practicing everyday all day, driving with that thing off but i don't think i am getting it right, or how is supposed to.

Vaughanabe13 · 03-23-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

... sorry guys, but i was told as well and i am doing it. DO NOT go to 1st unless the car is at a complete stop. only first while rolling if you going up the hill and the car is not making then you downshift to 1st. but thats the ONLY time.
also after watching all the 370z reviews they all said "if you really using the S-mode you really shouldn't be driving a M/T" ... therefore i am practicing everyday all day, driving with that thing off but i don't think i am getting it right, or how is supposed to.

Those people that are claiming you shouldn't drive with SRM are idiots, and probably just jealous. We have the technology, and it makes driving more enjoyable many times for me, so why not use it? It's still a manual car, you just get a little bit of modern convenience. You paid for the sport package with SRM so use it!

WAGAWAGA · 03-23-2012, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

Those people that are claiming you shouldn't drive with SRM are idiots, and probably just jealous. We have the technology, and it makes driving more enjoyable many times for me, so why not use it? It's still a manual car, you just get a little bit of modern convenience. You paid for the sport package with SRM so use it!

That might be true for most, but I honestly think it's more fun to drive it off. Makes me feel more engaged as a driver, anyways I still turn on SRM after a cold start as the revs are much higher.

Vaughanabe13 · 03-23-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

there is a pretty interesting question.... what gear should i be in going between 30-60mph and 70-90mph?
my car is brand spanking new, so i was told to take it easy on her and break her in. to NOT speed nor push the gear to its max until i reach 2k miles. i only reached 450 miles today. also it is my first manual transmission car and i haven't driven M/T in about 9 years... i feel a little lost at times. i stall it from time to time, my clutch is too high up (i think)
idk I'm just a tad bit confused.

Search for "clutch helper spring" on this forum and do the simple clutch spring replacement mod. It takes 20 minutes and your clutch will feel 100x better and easier to find the engagement point. Other than that, just keep practicing. You are doing the right thing by not pushing the car hard until it breaks in.

R0bDC · 04-10-2013, 05:39 PM

Noobs!

Dwight Frye · 04-10-2013, 06:54 PM

The OP needs to rethink his entire technique. Which would you rather replace, brakes or a clutch ? You shouldn't shift into 1st until you are at, or almost at a complete stop, and quit downshifting for engine braking if you are street driving. Save the F&F moves for the track and save wear & tear on expensive components.

Vaughanabe13 · 04-11-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Frye

The OP needs to rethink his entire technique. Which would you rather replace, brakes or a clutch ? You shouldn't shift into 1st until you are at, or almost at a complete stop, and quit downshifting for engine braking if you are street driving. Save the F&F moves for the track and save wear & tear on expensive components.

Perhaps I did a bad job describing the problem or maybe it's the title, but I almost never downshift into first so that's a non issue. All of this hyperbole about how I'm wrecking my car really isn't needed. The question wasn't about whether or not to downshift to first. It was that I was getting some lugging at slow speeds in second and I just didn't have the proper timing I needed.

Mitco39 · 04-11-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vaughanabe13

Perhaps I did a bad job describing the problem or maybe it's the title, but I almost never downshift into first so that's a non issue. All of this hyperbole about how I'm wrecking my car really isn't needed. The question wasn't about whether or not to downshift to first. It was that I was getting some lugging at slow speeds in second and I just didn't have the proper timing I needed.

You know, up until reading through this this morning I was shifting down into 1st all the time, with no issues. I will make a conscience effort to try and stay out of 1st for a bit and see how I like it. Like it was mentioned earlier in this thread, it does seem to lug a bunch, and especially with a turbo you dont want to have to lug it. You will have to wait so much longer for the boost to hit.

Rusty · 04-11-2013, 11:29 AM

Noobs! I'm been down shifting into first gear even before alot of you were even born. Learn how to drive a stick. First gear is there for a reason. Use it.

cheshirecat · 04-11-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Noobs! I'm been down shifting into first gear even before alot of you were even born. Learn how to drive a stick. First gear is there for a reason. Use it.

That reason being taking off from a dead stop.

Not all transmissions are built the same and the 370z does not enjoy being shifted into first while moving at anything faster than a crawl. The synchros yelling at you while they work to fix your technique should be a hint.

Anyway, as far as engine braking goes, it seems the transmission is stout enough to handle it without excessive wear and tear. As long as you are properly rev-matching, you shouldn't experience any issues.

Rusty · 04-11-2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

That reason being taking off from a dead stop.

Not all transmissions are built the same and the 370z does not enjoy being shifted into first while moving at anything faster than a crawl. The synchros yelling at you while they work to fix your technique should be a hint.

Anyway, as far as engine braking goes, it seems the transmission is stout enough to handle it without excessive wear and tear. As long as you are properly rev-matching, you shouldn't experience any issues.

I've got no problem with down shifting mine into first. 6th to 5th is another deal.

gsxr750 · 04-11-2013, 02:56 PM

Its best to not really shift the car down from second to first while moving , unless your speed is only around 10mph.

In stopping I only down shift once the car is almost at a stop (from 5th-1st etc.) to save wear and tear on the clutch and tranny.

Its a lot easier to replace brake pads, then a clutch or tranny.

Down shifting should only be done when really its really required or driving the car hard.

03-22-2012, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
TerribleONE A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 10,203 Drives: WOT Rep Power: 5852	+1 on not going to first while your already moving... if revmatched perfectly it will go into 1st but normally the gate will stay closed. __________________ 638WHP 541WTQ @ 13.5PSI Build thread

04-11-2013, 11:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
Rusty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 70 Posts: 35,581 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684440	Noobs! I'm been down shifting into first gear even before alot of you were even born. Learn how to drive a stick. First gear is there for a reason. Use it. Mitco39 likes this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

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03-22-2012, 09:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 16	there is a pretty interesting question.... what gear should i be in going between 30-60mph and 70-90mph? my car is brand spanking new, so i was told to take it easy on her and break her in. to NOT speed nor push the gear to its max until i reach 2k miles. i only reached 450 miles today. also it is my first manual transmission car and i haven't driven M/T in about 9 years... i feel a little lost at times. i stall it from time to time, my clutch is too high up (i think) idk I'm just a tad bit confused.

03-22-2012, 09:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 16	... sorry guys, but i was told as well and i am doing it. DO NOT go to 1st unless the car is at a complete stop. only first while rolling if you going up the hill and the car is not making then you downshift to 1st. but thats the ONLY time. also after watching all the 370z reviews they all said "if you really using the S-mode you really shouldn't be driving a M/T" ... therefore i am practicing everyday all day, driving with that thing off but i don't think i am getting it right, or how is supposed to.

04-10-2013, 05:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
R0bDC Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California Posts: 307 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 14	Noobs!

04-10-2013, 06:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dwight Frye Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Occupied California Posts: 423 Drives: '09 Tour/Sport/6MT Rep Power: 18	The OP needs to rethink his entire technique. Which would you rather replace, brakes or a clutch ? You shouldn't shift into 1st until you are at, or almost at a complete stop, and quit downshifting for engine braking if you are street driving. Save the F&F moves for the track and save wear & tear on expensive components.

04-11-2013, 02:56 PM	#14 (permalink)
gsxr750 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: west Posts: 443 Drives: 2012 370z man. sport Rep Power: 15	Its best to not really shift the car down from second to first while moving , unless your speed is only around 10mph. In stopping I only down shift once the car is almost at a stop (from 5th-1st etc.) to save wear and tear on the clutch and tranny. Its a lot easier to replace brake pads, then a clutch or tranny. Down shifting should only be done when really its really required or driving the car hard.