Guys... I finally got my rx-8 and even though I am 30 yrs old this is my first manual transmission. Both my upshifts and down shifts are not smooth and I am trying to learn the smoothest way possible (not the fastest yet) to shift.

If anyone could give me a detailed synopsis of the steps to a smooth upshift and a smooth downshift (no real engine braking) it would be much appreciated.

I am confused about when to give more throttle, how much, and whether to let the clutch out slowly (not referring to 1st gear of course).

Thanks in advance.


jeremy

 

Practice my friend. Practice is the best way to get good at driving a manual car. I'm sure your aware that the hardest part of driving a manual is just getting going. Once you can do that, the rest is just getting smooth, which is your question.

Here is a list of what works for me:

1. lift the gas at the same time you push in the clutch
2. give the car just enough gas to keep the RPM in the same general area that they were before you pushed the clutch in
3. "feather" the clutch out, this means don't just drop your foot off. This will allow the clutch to slip some and bring the engine and transmission to matching RPM.

This isn't the best way to drive in a race, where you want to keep the RPM up and the interuptions of power (shifts) as short as humanly possible.

But for your everyday driving, slipping or feathering the clutch will provide the smoothest shifts until you are an expert and matching RPMs.

Practice!

 

Thanks for the response!

Isn't feathering the clutch bad for it?

Should i "blip" ther RPMS up only when downshifting or should i for upshifting as well?

 

Over time, if you wind up feathering the clutch for extended periods, yes you will wear out your clutch but not any faster than you would by dumping the clutch. When you dump it you put a huge amount of strain on the tranny and engine which is probably far worse than feathering your clutch for a second.

You don't want to blip the throttle when you are upshifting, becuase your RPM are going to be lower when you are done with the shift.

When you downshift, yes bliping the throttle will help match up the engine and tranny speeds.

 

I second what Emsdad stated! Practice, practice, practice!

Although I have had manual transmission cars in the past I had an RSX type S before my AT 8. It had a six speed tranny and it took me about 1-2 months to become one with the clutch again! If you have not driven a clutch before do not worry as it will soon become second nature.

Good luck with your new 8 and enjoy it the way it was desgned to be enjoyed.

 

Yes practice is important. 1 is correct, but 2 is wrong unless you're down shifting. The ECU is programmed such that when you lift off the gas in one gear and take the average amount of time to shift the engine should be at the proper rpm, or close to it. At least thats my opinion, I am guessing, so I could be wrong. But that is how I would design a car.

 

that's actually just down to the mass of moving parts in the engine taking time to spin down. when you get a lighter flywheel, it helps the engine change speeds more quickly (and removes a tiny amount of weight from the car). "heavy" flywheels are fitted to road going cars not only because they're cheap and wear well, but also because they make the car easier to drive at low speeds.

anyhoo, just taking your time to shift, letting the car do its natural thing while you drive and not rushing, but also not ******* it, will keep everything smooth.

 

so when upshifting... just take my time.

when donwnshifting... i bip the throttle when i am in neutral.

correct?

2 questions:

1. how much do i blip?
2. Do i give any gas as i am releasing the clutch pedal into the new gear or do i wait until it is completely disengaged.

thanks very much guys.

 

anyone?

 

Well, it would depend on why you're downshifting. If you're doing it to pass, you want to add gas to a point where the RPMs are higher than they should be (i.e. downshifting to 3rd at 40mph you would rev to about 5-6k or more), then release clutch relatively slow - the car should take off to pass. If you were in neutral coming off the highway, etc., and need to engage the proper gear, just rev to where you think the revs should be, and *slowly* release the clutch. If you were a little bit off, the engine will catch up with the wheels and you're done. Drive as you would normally.

I hope that answers the question.

EDIT: Oh, and yes, you do add a little bit of gas when upshifting, to help the engine engage the gear smoother. Your shift will always be smoother if you over-rev than if you under-rev. In the former case, you get a little bit of acceleration (which is what you wanted anyway), in the latter case you get a braking effect, which is NOT what you wanted. Good luck, and practice.


-arattle

 

My 2c worth
Practice moving through the gears while stand still
Practice the famous move the car forward in 1 gear using only the clutch pedal (no gas)
Observe the sound/feel and note RPM and gear for speed you are at during normal driving

In case of blipping remember you always do it with clutch fully in (engaged). You blip slightly higher then expected RPM after gear change.

 

P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E

I own 4 other manual shift cars. I test drove the RX for the 2nd time last Saturday and
bucked it like a horse.

Don't feel bad.

jerij