RX8_Ownz

When you upshift, do you press the clutch all the way down to the floor?

I usually press 70% of its travel and now I want to know few tips during this upshift precedure.

Few hours ago, I tried to press the clutch all the way down and let out somewhat quick, but it was very difficult to smooth it out. (especially did jerk at 1-2, 2-3 shift)

For normal driving, how do you manage the clutch for smooth upshifting?

Also what about hard driving condition?

This is the first driving a stick, please let me know.

Mikelikes2drive

i push it down all the way and was taught this way, to always push it down to the ground,i just feather it off when i release the clutch... not quick... gently :D

StewC625

If you're not going for maximum accelleration, but instead just smoothness, the trick is not to rush the shift - clutch in, all the way down, snick-snick goes the lever into the next gear, and clutch back out ... all on a leisurely pace.

The revs fall so fast on this car though, that for perfect rev matching I find that I don't lift my foot off the gas like a piston car, but sort of feather the throttle so the revs don't increase at all ... it's all in the practice.

For pacing, the timing is about 2 seconds and you can count it "one one thousand two one thousand" like this:

on "one ..." the clutch goes in

on "... one-thousand" the lever comes out of what ever gear you're in

on "two ..." the lever goes into whatever gear you're headed to

on the second "... one thousand" the clutch come back out smoothly.

It's all in the practice. I've been driving mannytrannies for 26 years.

dazygirl415

Yeah, what they said. Another tip, don't try to shift like you're a race car driver. Instead, take your time for a smooth ride. My ex used to drive my old MT like a racer and all it did was give me a headache because of the bumpy ride.

fullsmoke

I've been driving my 7 for years now and I'm not used to how fast the rpms fall in the 8... Just drive the car for a few months, varying your shifting style and you'll eventually get the timing and feel down just perfect. when you get good enough at rev matching, screw the clutch and shift clutchless (be careful though!)

FS

-=Rowdy=-

ahhh-the poor synchros...

jenkins-crew

Yeah just take it easy and shift @ like 5500 rmp, the sweet spot, and you shouldn't have to push you clutch in 100%

Reactionary

If you haven't driven sticks before, I think your leg and ankle muscles have to adjust. When you've made this adjustment, it seems the motions go much faster while at the same time it feels more leisurely, calmer, and more in control.

I'm also finding that my shifting and clutch work changes depending on the day and my mood. Strange. I wonder if it's partly the transmission and the outside temperature. One British magazine recently commented that it seemed the RX8 transmission had good days and bad days.

StewC625

It's all in the practice - when you can drive and carry on a normal conversation while shifting, you're getting there. The hands and feet need to just know what to do.

DMBfan

You just need to practice and find whats best for you. I don't always push the clutch to the floor while shifting. You just have to learn that point in the clutch where its disengated and make a smooth shift after that. I've driven a manual since I learned to drive and haven't had to replace a clutch yet driving this way. And what the other folks said all you have to do is practice.

rx-8_or_?

Yup. A lot of practice and finding what's right for you. Take it easy when you practice and don't try to rush it. Concentrate on making your shifts smooth, even if they are slow. Over time you'll get a feel for it, and it will start to become automatic. When you stop thinking about it, your shifts will become smooth and fast ... you will be in the zone ...

Have fun "learning"!

RX8_Ownz

Thank you guyz for everything.

I guess now I can upshift smoothly at 2-3 and so on, but it still jerks a little at 1-2 shift.

I will keep trying a practice! Thanks again.

dazygirl415

I agree. Sometimes I have bad shifting days, no matter what I do. Other days I can be wrapped up in something else, shifting like it's an inconvienenve and it's smooth as hell. Who knows?