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

ZMan8

Actually if you look at the owners manual...the shift points are ridiculous...you're suppose to be in 6th at 45mph or something like that.

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

Vaughanabe13

35MPH is not too slow for 4th, considering the OFFICIAL MANUAL says you should be shifting into 6 at 33MPH!!!! Yes of course that is really slow for 6th but it's actually the recommended speed.

Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 16 (26)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 28 (45)
5th to 6th 33 (53)

And further, I like to shift through the gears when I'm driving around town, and I rarely hit areas that are more than 50 MPH while doing this. By your definition I would never leave 3rd and my gas mileage would be in the toilet! And none of this even matters anyway because it has no bearing on my original question and they're just some numbers I threw out to explain my question.

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

vividracing

I'd stay in 3rd, personally. If you have to accelerate quickly to get out of danger/avoid something, you won't have as much power available and it's harder on the engine. If you need to slow down to avoid something, you'll end up downshifting to 3rd once you need to accelerate again.

I don't own a 370Z, but that's based on years of experience in a wide range of manual transmission vehicles.

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ZMan8

Copied from 2009 owners manual AK posted

For normal acceleration in low altitude areas
[less than 4,000 ft (1,219 m)]:
Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 16 (26)
3rd to 4th 25 (40)
4th to 5th 28 (45)
5th to 6th 33 (53)
For quick acceleration in low altitude areas or in
high altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219 m)]:
Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
5th to 6th 50 (80)

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

ZMan8

o and for anybody interested the max speed for each gear:
Gear MPH (km/h)
1st 38 (62)
2nd 63 (102)
3rd 91 (146)
4th —
5th —
6th —

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

ZMan8

To answer OP, dont shift into 1 if your already moving. The only time i shift into 1 is when the car is traveling around 2-3 mph. If you're in neutral going 5-15 (maybe 20) mph shift into second. 20-30 shift into 3rd. This should limit any bogging. SRM should rev up enough to make it smooth. With the early shifts 1 & 2, my advice is make the shifts slower.

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2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

ESPdrunx

Thanks for the response. So when rolling up hill in second and traffic becomes too slow for second (but never stops), the appropriate way to keep from stalling is by rev matching into first? I usually face this issue when going up a ramp to a freeway with a quick red/green light. coming to a complete stop and shifting into first is not always an option wit cali drivers behind me (sorry to the op for thread jacking lol).

Vaughanabe13

I think they're saying you shouldn't shift into first in those situations, but I could be wrong. Unless you're basically at a stop. Would the correct solution be to just brake a tad bit and stay engaged in second and then just give it barely enough gas not to stall?

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

Cmike2780

I think a lot of it has to do with getting comfortable with 2nd gear. When first learning to drive a manual, I always felt like I was going stall in 2nd gear. You find out though, that as long as the car is moving forward, chances are, it won't stall. If you feel like you're about to stop, below 5 mph, disengage the clutch and shift to 1st. If I understand this correctly though, you should get into the habit of rowing down through the gears... very easy with syncro rev.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Vaughanabe13

Yeah I think I'm just not really comfortable with how slow is acceptable in 2nd without stalling.

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2009 Nissan 370Z Touring, w/sport, 6MT, chicane yellow/black.

elmz

Just reading you say "should I down shift to 2nd or 1st" makes me say "yikes!" There is no need to drop into first unless you are on a slow roll, 2nd will do.

Spikuh

You can CRAWL in 2nd without really getting into trouble and IMO, if you are traveling at least 10mph, you should stay out of 1st once rolling. Honestly, I am not sure if the car will even let you into 1st going that speed without some effort.

Just keep practicing and you will have it under control in no time.

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.

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.

6MT

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Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D