RX8rider

So 8is>enuff, let me get this right...you blip the throttle when in neutral (with clutch in) rather than blipping it in the gear you want to be in (with clutch in)?

8is>enuff

I blip in neutral with the clutch out (if you can call it a blip), then clutch in, gear in, clutch out, gas.
I don't think it matters if the clutch is in or out when you blip, as long as you're in neutral. It seems easiest/smoothest to me the way I mentioned above.

I think we're getting a little confused.
If you match your revs before shifting into the next gear (regardless if the clutch is in or not), you save the synchros (as that is their job).

Revving your engine so you don't jerk forward when letting the clutch out while downshifting (after you're already in gear) saves the clutch from abuse (namely matching the current gear to the drivetrain).

RX8rider

Ok, I think I got it. Being a new MT owner, i guess I was a bit confused about when exactly to blip the throttle.It seems like applying throtle with clutch in while in any gear in general is a no-no. Does that sound right?

LiL BenNy

what if i was in 6th gear and put the clutch in right from there so it automaticly revs then put it in 3rd... just curious cuz wouldnt that be easier then double clutching? but maybe effects car..

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

well, if you have the clutch in (foot push clutch pedal all the way to floor), that means the clutch is disconnected from the flywheel, during which technically you can rev however you want to rev and it won't hurt anything.

not that you would want to just rev for no reason, unless you're a ricer and want to rev at someone on the highway :o

i think a little background info on how a manual transmission works may help you a lot in understanding what everyone is saying, take a look here:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

yes that will work, that is just rev-match downshift, your synchronizers will be put to work in this method, and if you rev-match just right, you can also have a very smooth downshift using this method.

hogcar

you all are missing the point you want to overrev the engine for the gear you are downshifting into and then put it in gear as it lines up for the correct rpm range, the gearshifter will really easily drop into the gear as the rpms fall, as soon as it starts to go let the clucth out while hitting the gas, and you are off.


What he said, with lots and lots of practice.

RX8rider

Can someone just give me a quick explanation of what slipping the clutch and feathering the clutch is. This is my first manual car and I want to avoid kiiling my beautiful 8.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

slipping the clutch is when you start releasing the clutch pedal but have not fully remove your left foot from the pedal, thus resulting in the clutch disc not fully engaged with the flywheel, causing it to make contact with the flywheel in a 'slipping' state. Slipping the clutch is what you do when you try to drive the car from a standstill.

feathering the clutch is just slipping the clutch slowly to achieve smooth engagement of clutch/flywheel as you change gear.

slipping and feathering the clutch is ok in most situations as long as you don't do it for a prolonged period of time or at high rpms. keeping your foot on the clutch pedal, and keeping it in a semi-engaged state with the flywheel while driving is called RIDING the clutch. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT RIDE YOUR CLUTCH, THIS WILL WEAR OUT YOUR CLUTCH VERY FAST, AND MAY DAMAGE YOUR TRANSMISSION!

use the foot rest pedal on the left of the clutch to rest your left foot when not changing gear :D

RX8rider

Thanks for the reply. As a new MT driver, I guess I've been "slipping the clutch" when starting from stop, otherwise I get a jerky start. Do you experinced MT drivers still do that or do you get better with practice. I'm only doing it when starting (in first gear) from a stop, and not in any of the other gears. Is that really bad for the clutch?

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

you will *always* need to slip a little bit of clutch to start from a stop if you have the 3-pedal traditional manual transmission (SMG transmission is exception of course), the difference between experienced and new manual driver is how much slippage do you need before fully release the clutch pedal and drive away.

When I was a newbie, I usually slip the clutch at around 2000rpm to get the car rolling, now I can get the car rolling from as low as 1000rpm :D

basically, the rule of thumb that i've always used is, for street driving, try to avoid slipping the clutch as much as possible, and if you do need to slip the clutch, try to do it at as low rpm as you need/can to get the car moving :D

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

and one more thing, slipping the clutch is not really a 'bad' thing, as your clutch is designed to tolerate moderate amount of slipping (so you can get the car moving). the clutch is a wear item just like brake pads, so eventually you will eventually need to replace the clutch as the miles pile on. The question then becomes, how do you drive to conserve your clutch to extend its service life as much as possible?

generally speaking, a modern clutch should last 100-150k miles in 'normal' use. 8000rpm clutch dumps at the dragstrip will obviously shorten its life :o