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

WAGAWAGA · 03-22-2012, 11:09 PM

what vivid said. This is my first manual car also, but I learned never to put in neutral unless you are at a complete stop (safety reasons). And from your description I would just rev match downshift (not heeltoe) from 4th to 3rd, then if you still need to slow down i'll heel toe to 2nd gear. Its really hard to heeltoe from 4th to 3rd @35, it can be done but i think its just better to downshift without hitting the brakes.

Vaughanabe13 · 03-23-2012, 09:25 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!

Vaughanabe13 · 03-23-2012, 09:27 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.

kenchan · 03-23-2012, 09:48 AM

Too lazy to read the entire thread but if you are moving use 2nd gear.

WAGAWAGA · 03-23-2012, 10:17 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.

theboydiddy · 03-23-2012, 10:20 AM

My father said the clutch is perfect. I feel like is to high, I can't even put my heel on the ground because the clutch push my feet backwards. Since I'm still getting used to it. I feel like is better for me to practice that way so when I get other cars it will be easier a little I suppose.
Thank you everyone.

Pelican170 · 03-23-2012, 10:22 AM

I have to say, i really dont like the Syncro rev matching and I hardly ever use it... just never felt a need to need it...

But anyways, i wanted to come back and say that yesterday on my ride home i realized that i was shifting to 4th at around 35 - 40 mph. it would sit at about 2k rpms in 4th at that speed.. Good for when im stuck behind people on the road... so i take my comment back about that earlier..

Nick911sc · 03-23-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

My father said the clutch is perfect. I feel like is to high, I can't even put my heel on the ground because the clutch push my feet backwards. Since I'm still getting used to it. I feel like is better for me to practice that way so when I get other cars it will be easier a little I suppose.
Thank you everyone.

I can keep my heel on the floor while regulating the clutch. But I suppose I might have a bigger foot than you or something lol.

Also, changing the clutch helper spring will help get rid of some of that rebound pushing your foot backwards.

theboydiddy · 03-23-2012, 10:31 AM

That's what I do all the time. 4th on 30-45mph. Since the car is brand new I don't want to push anything. Also I'm not sure if is the stock noise but I hate to hear my engine screaming asking for gears. My 1st gear ask for more at 10-15mph. I've been switching all gears about 3-4K rpm.

theboydiddy · 03-23-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick911sc

I can keep my heel on the floor while regulating the clutch. But I suppose I might have a bigger foot than you or something lol.

Also, changing the clutch helper spring will help get rid of some of that rebound pushing your foot backwards.

I don't think you have a bigger foot. My clutch is really really up high. Like I have to let go all the way and just a tad bit at the end is when the gear engage it. And the kick back is ridiculous too. Is like if someone was kicking me on the foot. After a good 20 min ride my left leg HURTS !!!!

Nick911sc · 03-23-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

I don't think you have a bigger foot. My clutch is really really up high. Like I have to let go all the way and just a tad bit at the end is when the gear engage it. And the kick back is ridiculous too. Is like if someone was kicking me on the foot. After a good 20 min ride my left leg HURTS !!!!

The engagement point shouldn't be all the way to the top... More between 50%-75% travel even at that... How many miles were on your car when you purchased it?

Vaughanabe13 · 03-23-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theboydiddy

I don't think you have a bigger foot. My clutch is really really up high. Like I have to let go all the way and just a tad bit at the end is when the gear engage it. And the kick back is ridiculous too. Is like if someone was kicking me on the foot. After a good 20 min ride my left leg HURTS !!!!

The kickback is because of the clutch helper spring. You need a lighter spring (or no spring) in there and it will fix that issue.

theboydiddy · 03-23-2012, 11:08 AM

Yeah I'm planning to start making changes in the car after I hit 2000 miles

I bought the car with 0000 miles. I got it with 00.8 miles because the dealership guy drove it to get gas wash it and do some inspection that all brand new cars has to have it

ZMan8 · 03-23-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick911sc

I can keep my heel on the floor while regulating the clutch. But I suppose I might have a bigger foot than you or something lol.

Also, changing the clutch helper spring will help get rid of some of that rebound pushing your foot backwards.

strange, I cant shift with my heel on the floor and I have size 14 shoes? maybe because my legs are so long the angle is bad

My thighs can't even rest on the seats).

Nick911sc · 03-23-2012, 11:13 AM

I don't shift while driving with my heel on the floor. I'm more saying regulating the clutch from a stop with my heel on the floor. Not sure why you'd do normal driving shifting with your heel on the floor after you're out of first gear.

03-22-2012, 11:09 PM	#31 (permalink)
WAGAWAGA Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: riverside Posts: 155 Drives: 2010 370z Black Rep Power: 15	what vivid said. This is my first manual car also, but I learned never to put in neutral unless you are at a complete stop (safety reasons). And from your description I would just rev match downshift (not heeltoe) from 4th to 3rd, then if you still need to slow down i'll heel toe to 2nd gear. Its really hard to heeltoe from 4th to 3rd @35, it can be done but i think its just better to downshift without hitting the brakes. Last edited by WAGAWAGA; 03-23-2012 at 10:18 AM.

03-23-2012, 10:22 AM	#37 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	I have to say, i really dont like the Syncro rev matching and I hardly ever use it... just never felt a need to need it... But anyways, i wanted to come back and say that yesterday on my ride home i realized that i was shifting to 4th at around 35 - 40 mph. it would sit at about 2k rpms in 4th at that speed.. Good for when im stuck behind people on the road... so i take my comment back about that earlier.. __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

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03-23-2012, 09:48 AM	#34 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Too lazy to read the entire thread but if you are moving use 2nd gear.

03-23-2012, 10:20 AM	#36 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 14	My father said the clutch is perfect. I feel like is to high, I can't even put my heel on the ground because the clutch push my feet backwards. Since I'm still getting used to it. I feel like is better for me to practice that way so when I get other cars it will be easier a little I suppose. Thank you everyone.

03-23-2012, 10:31 AM	#39 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 14	That's what I do all the time. 4th on 30-45mph. Since the car is brand new I don't want to push anything. Also I'm not sure if is the stock noise but I hate to hear my engine screaming asking for gears. My 1st gear ask for more at 10-15mph. I've been switching all gears about 3-4K rpm.

03-23-2012, 11:08 AM	#43 (permalink)
theboydiddy Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 938 Drives: 370z Pearl White Rep Power: 14	Yeah I'm planning to start making changes in the car after I hit 2000 miles I bought the car with 0000 miles. I got it with 00.8 miles because the dealership guy drove it to get gas wash it and do some inspection that all brand new cars has to have it

03-23-2012, 11:13 AM	#45 (permalink)
Nick911sc A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,698 Drives: 2010 Nissan GT-R Rep Power: 20	I don't shift while driving with my heel on the floor. I'm more saying regulating the clutch from a stop with my heel on the floor. Not sure why you'd do normal driving shifting with your heel on the floor after you're out of first gear.