Smooth Shifting - How To
Sravan
I have been driving manual transmission cars for over 5 Yrs. and I
still could not get the shifts like AT, I do not like my wife neck
moving forward and backward during shifting. When I am driving alone I
like the sporty movemets though.
I have tried many shifting procedures including the suggested shift
point from manual and shifting at various rpms. It is very hard to
match the rpms to the next gear to get a smooth shift. Some times the
shifts are very smooth but most of the times they are not.
I appreciate for any suggestions from the masters.
I have 2002 SE 6 Speed and I like the power of this car.
Thanks,
Sravan
M
"Sravan" <sve...@triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:de668b65.04031...@posting.google.com...
I don't know about being a "master" but I have, sigh, 40+ years
driving/owning manual transmission cars. Some (an '82 Accord and an '84
Turbo T-bird) had enough drivetrain slack and windup that smooth shifts were
problematic. My two Maxima sticks ('89 and '96) are not difficult to shift
smoothly.
The key to a smooth shift, I submit, is to match the engine speed as the
clutch is disengaged to the speed that the engine will be turning as the
next gear is engaged. I don't do that by watching the tach but rather by
listening to the engine. Accelerate in 1st gear, as you engage the clutch
preparing for the shift to 2nd, release the accelerator letting engine speed
drop appropriately, shift, release the clutch evenly. The key is to be able
to coordinate the release of the clutch, the dropping of the engine speed,
and the engagement of the clutch in the new gear.
My dad spent hours with me helping me get a "feel" of that process. In
Ford's and Chevy's of 40's and 50's vintage with 3 on the tree or floor.
Good luck...I'm sure you'll get some good techniques here. You might also
have a friend whose shifting techniques are good who could do a little
tutoring.
M
Bob
Learn to drive a big truck (18 wheeler) and slide the gears ( not using the
clutch).
you match engine rpm's to wheel speed. with enough practice it becomes an
automatic response.
David Geesaman
shifts are upshifts, learn the rhythm of your engine's fall toward idle so
you can hit the next gear spot-on in rpm. But unless you're a race driver
or you drive with the same exact acceleration and shift points, you'll never
get perfect.
One tip: gently let off the throttle before you push in the clutch.
2nd tip: Another point that has helped me smooth clutch engagement
significantly: watch your manipulation of the clutch and gas pedals. Your
left foot should lift without pausing or stopping and your right foot should
add throttle without pausing or stopping. Just slow down this motion in the
region around the friction point enough to let the clutch get hold without
being jerky. If the clutch grabs early or late, don't try to adjust for it,
only slow down the lift motion some.
Dave
"Sravan" <sve...@triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:de668b65.04031...@posting.google.com...
Codifus
On the 1st to 2nd shift, shift slowly, that is, do the gear change in a
relaxed pace. For all the other shifts, 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th, etc,
shift quickly between the gears. I find this works quite well for me
because it takes into account the difference in ratio between the gears.
1st and 2nd gear are wide apart, therefore you take extra time
shifting between those gears to let the engine rpms drop down enough to
put you nicely into the next gear. from 2-3, 3-4 etc, the gear ratios
are much closer, so you have to make the transition very quick so the
engine rpms wont drop down so much.
Hope this helps.
CD
Sravan
forum and learned few useful techniques.
To summarise - I was able to get a smooth shift using the following
tips based on the previous inputs.
For normal driving - Shift very quickly under 2,500 rpm
For sporty driving - Shift at 3,500 rpm
and the shifts are very smooth.
Thanks again to you all.
I love this forum.
Sravan
Codifus <cod...@optonline.net> wrote in message news:<Oq_6c.48932$E8.10...@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net>...