what gear do u drive in

DogBallz · May 17, 2011

Az Pete said:
Down shift before the corner/curve so you can gently accelerate thru and out of the corner. Never coast with the car in neutral or the clutch in. I think it might be against some state laws as to having control.

You can rev the engine while the clutch is in to bring the rpm up to a level to match the gear you want to down shift to. This is just a practice thing that you learn from listening to the engine, watching the tach vs speed and trying different things.

Big plus 1 on that! Think of it as giving up one of the main control parameters you have. It also effects Steering and you can even get some useful engine braking to fine tune your speed in different circumstances.

Your friend is dispensing bad advice, dangerous really.

If they are available nearby, you and your friend could pick up some useful tips and have a great time at a track-day / race driving school. There you will learn the balance of steering , braking and throttle control.

You can't learn that on the internet!

Gearbanger 101 · May 17, 2011

I wouldn’t suggest a beginner try engine braking as their going into, or coming out of a corner. Especially on a wet or slippery road surface. Not unless they like the idea of the back end, trying to pass the front end.

DogBallz · May 17, 2011

Gearbanger 101 said:
I wouldn’t suggest a beginner try engine braking as their going into, or coming out of a corner. Especially on a wet or slippery road surface. Not unless they like the idea of the back end, trying to pass the front end.

Yes that is a great way to initiate a turn, I use it in the gravel and wet often. I've been driving a stick 40+ years too however. I have a feeling you don't cruise around corners in neutral either.

I think you'll agree, when you see this type of discussion, some form of instruction is in order. The street is not the place to get taught these lessons.

Gearbanger 101 · May 17, 2011

DogBallz said:
I have a feeling you don't cruise around corners in neutral either.

As a general rule, no....but taking corners in neutral is fine. Safe as a matter of fact since you're not under power, or creating any drag on the drivetrain, you're able to coast right through the apex. Number one rule when control is lost....press in the clutch and put the car into neutral.

DogBallz · May 17, 2011

Gearbanger 101 said:
As a general rule, no....but taking corners in neutral is fine. Safe as a matter of fact since you're not under power, or creating any drag on the drivetrain, you're able to coast right through the apex. Number one rule when control is lost....press in the clutch and put the car into neutral.

Never heard that before Gearbanger. Do you have a link?

Here is a pretty good web page on manuals. The second link has more detail.

Learn How to Drive a Manual Transmission

Standardshift | Standardshift / FAQ

Ateup · May 17, 2011

Going 60 in 5th I have plenty of pull to pass cars. I think I'm running around 2200rpms or so at that point, no need to downshift. I think some people might want to think they are driving in a video game.

Gearbanger 101 · May 17, 2011

DogBallz said:
Never heard that before Gearbanger. Do you have a link?

Here is a pretty good web page on manuals. The second link has more detail.

Learn How to Drive a Manual Transmission

Standardshift | Standardshift / FAQ

Seriously???

That should have been one of the first things you were taught when getting your drivers licence. Get into a hairy situation, push in the clutch and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. Driving 101

Driver's Handbook

Skids

A skid happens when your wheels slide out of control on a slippery surface. Skids can involve the front, rear or all four wheels. Most skids result from driving too fast for road or traffic conditions. Sudden, hard braking, going too fast around a corner or accelerating too quickly can cause your vehicle to skid or roll over.

Once in a skid, look where you want the vehicle to go and steer in that direction. Be careful not to oversteer. If you are on ice, skidding in a straight line, step on the clutch or shift to neutral.

The above also applies to wet pavement, sand or any situation where rear tracking is lost. Pushing in the clutch and/or shifting into neutral removes the power/drag from the rear wheels and allows the vehicle to straighten itself out.

Another....

Skid Control Techniques | eHow.com

Preventative Strategies

The most common causes of skidding are sudden or intense acceleration, abrupt or excessive braking and swerving or jerky steering movements. Anticipate sharp curves and brake ahead of the curve, not after you are already into it. Plan ahead and make lane changes gradually, not with snappy, swerving steering movements. Be conscious of changing road conditions such as moisture, ice or bad pavement.

Rear Wheel Skid

A rear wheel skid happens when the rear of the vehicle loses traction with the road surface and swings out of line with the front steering wheels, sometimes to the extent of turning the car around. Excessive speed into a sharp curve or on hazardous road surfaces, especially in rear wheel drive vehicles, is the most common cause of a rear wheel skid. Here the instinct is usually to jam on the brakes. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and the brake. In a manual transmission vehicle, push in the clutch. Steer in the direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding until the rear of the car comes back into alignment. This is known as "steering into the skid." Be careful not to steer too far in the opposite direction and cause another skid due to an overcorrection.

DogBallz · May 18, 2011

Gearbanger 101 said:
Seriously???

That should have been one of the first things you were taught when getting your drivers licence. Get into a hairy situation, push in the clutch and steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. Driving 101

Your first quote from the Goverment of Ontario's handbook, "If you are on ice, skidding in a straight line, step on the clutch or shift to neutral" is a technique recommended for straight line skids.

The e-how quote does talk about loss of control situations in corners but I seriously question that method of regaining stability in an oversteer situation. I looked into their referenced sources and traced it to Graham Sykes Insurance Where they get their info from, I couldn't say, but It is contrary to much personal experience and the training I've had as it applies to my driving situations.

This discussion has raised some good points, but when Dynasty_365 asks,
"What about throwing it in neutral and braking into the curve then going into the correct gear? I've spoken to someone who say they do that cuz downshifting is hard on the transmission. So which is better downshifting or throwing it in neutral"

There is only one correct answer for most corner entry situations and it isn't throwing it into neutral then braking into the curve and then going into the correct gear.

I really suggest some track day training, it makes sense. You need to learn these techniques in a controlled setting.

On a different note ... Love the avatar and username gearbanger!

Gearbanger 101 · May 18, 2011

My solution wasn't meant for track day events. It was merely a suggestion for a novice driver NOT to start hard downshift coming into corners as a method of slowing a vehicle. Especially if you're coming into it at excessive speeds. That can be just as reckless as pulling the emergency brake.

Also, my comment about depressing the clutch, or throwing it into neutral had nothing at all to do with stopping, but everything to do with regaining control in the event of a loss of lateral traction while attempting to stop. Someone above mentioned how coasting through a corner in neutral presented control issues...when the exact opposite is true. I would however use brakes coming into a corner over engine braking in most circumstances. Especially if I was a novice driver and unfamiliar with the roadway. At least if you start to slide under hard braking, you'll do so in a straight line.....a situation which is immediately corrected the instant you let off of the brakes. From there you apply the brakes again as necessary. If you are unable to maintain control under braking, then your loss of it lies with the speeds in which you are travelling through said corner in the first place.

Remember…rear braking only accounts for about 30-35% of a vehicles stopping power. All of the momentum is thrown forward the moment you decelerate. Your front brakes handle most of the load…which isn’t the case when engine braking is put into play.

Bottom line….engine brakes prior to a corner…sure. It’s a great method for saving your brakes and taking a lot of steam out of the proverbial sails, so to speak. I haven’t an issue with engine braking being used as a method of deceleration as long as speeds and road conditions permit, but I wouldn’t rely on it as a primary method of halting a vehicle down at when travelling through a corner. Not without knowing the exact road conditions, limits of your tires/chassis and where you’ll end up as far as gear ratio and how much engine drag will be presented after your down shift.

12Pack · May 18, 2011

When your in 5th or 6th downshift to 1st to get max pull.

DogBallz · May 18, 2011

Gearbanger 101 said:
My solution wasn't meant for track day events. It was merely a suggestion for a novice driver NOT to start hard downshift coming into corners as a method of slowing a vehicle. Especially if you're coming into it at excessive speeds. That can be just as reckless as pulling the emergency brake.

Also, my comment about depressing the clutch, or throwing it into neutral had nothing at all to do with stopping, but everything to do with regaining control in the event of a loss of lateral traction while attempting to stop. Someone above mentioned how coasting through a corner in neutral presented control issues...when the exact opposite is true. I would however use brakes coming into a corner over engine braking in most circumstances. Especially if I was a novice driver and unfamiliar with the roadway. At least if you start to slide under hard braking, you'll do so in a straight line.....a situation which is immediately corrected the instant you let off of the brakes. From there you apply the brakes again as necessary. If you are unable to maintain control under braking, then your loss of it lies with the speeds in which you are travelling through said corner in the first place.

Remember…rear braking only accounts for about 30-35% of a vehicles stopping power. All of the momentum is thrown forward the moment you decelerate. Your front brakes handle most of the load…which isn’t the case when engine braking is put into play.

Bottom line….engine brakes prior to a corner…sure. It’s a great method for saving your brakes and taking a lot of steam out of the proverbial sails, so to speak. I haven’t an issue with engine braking being used as a method of deceleration as long as speeds and road conditions permit, but I wouldn’t rely on it as a primary method of halting a vehicle down at when travelling through a corner. Not without knowing the exact road conditions, limits of your tires/chassis and where you’ll end up as far as gear ratio and how much engine drag will be presented after your down shift.

Well I hope the OP gets some useful information from this discussion.

Personally, I would rarely throw a rear wheel drive car into neutral before entering or during mid-corner. The conditions that would warrant such an action are exceedingly rare where I drive.

Enjoy the new Stang!

arcwcb · May 18, 2011

12Pack said:
When your in 5th or 6th downshift to 1st to get max pull.

lol nice, OBVIOUSLY the correct choice on what gear to downshift to lol

Sparty92 · May 19, 2011

Az Pete said:
When down shifting, you should know the max speed of each gear so you do not down shift into a gear that does not match your speed. That can leave parts on the road. Practice the down shifting so it becomes smooth.....but, you are on the public roads.....

A good place to do this is on freeway on-ramps. Take 2nd gear up to 6K, take 3rd gear up to 6K, take 4th gear up to 6K (and 5th, if you want, lol). This way you'll know what the "max speed" per gear is so when you DO go to rev-match your downshift, you'll know that "yes, 5K in 4th is 80mph" and then you won't blow up your transmission.

I've only owned manual trans cars. It's part of the learning process each car, as they are all different.

Have fun!

Ateup · May 19, 2011

Just realized my earlier post was incorrect. I meant to say going 60 in 4th at 2200.

scupking · May 20, 2011

All I know is its fun to go from 50mph in 5th to 2nd. Or from 5th to 3rd at 70mph. She pulls like a freight train. Granted I have an 07 so I only have five gears to play with.

what gear do u drive in

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