Mark in Baltimore

I double-clutch downshift and upshift on the street almost all of the time and have been doing it for so long that I don't even think about it. I actually had to check to make sure that I am still doing it, and, yup, I sure am. It's a lost art and is so much easier on the synchros, and there's a great satisfaction feeling the shift lever just slide into gear, the tach needle not moving a millimeter, indicating a perfect rev match.

On the track where 1/100ths of a second count, I usually don't double clutch.

Rinty

I was on the track with one of our local instructors, and noticed that he doesn't double clutch either.

I guess that's what the steel synchros are for.

morsini

Another reason. A race clutch is either on or off. There's very little slipping of the disks. Therefore shifting without blipping the throttle will lock up the rear end and if you’re unlucky enough spinning you in a corner.

pkrasusky

There is nothing wrong with a double downshift - when properly executed - which can / should include some of the ^^above concepts^^ 8-).

Heck, I employ all sorts 'o shifting oddities... triple downshift, quadruple upshift, etc. Depends on the circumstance. Long as you get it right it's no problem... just get it right.

I wasn't going to reply, but found myself doing this yestderday... meandering down a backroad, gliding along in 6th (oil pressure never <2.5!), car afront me turns off - I rev match into 3rd and WOT off I go.

Sometimes in heavy traffic, I'll start in 1st, maybe grab 2nd to bring R's up... then grab 6th. I tend to try to balance fuel economy via these opps when I can, helps offset all the WOT and trip-digi's 8-).

I'm sure I'll get bashed for 'not good for synchros' and 'are you quintuple clutching'... but... I've had mannnny hundred thousand miles in mannnnny stick cars... never any trans issues ever.

just sayin 8-)

Paul
CT
past: '87 930 | '58 TR3A | '01 //S8 | '95 //S6 6spd | '88 ///M5 | '87 190E 2.3-16 |

Mark in Baltimore

When you triple or quadruple downshift, are you pushing the clutch in three or four times? Can you explain the benefits of doing this over just double clutching?

pkrasusky

sorry for the confusion Mark - first I misread the OP (unless he edited it from when I'd first read it yesterday??? Really didn't think he'd ref'd the clutching part when he'd first posted...) I'd initially thought it'd just asked about double downshifting, then I replied, THEN noted his reference to the double-clutching aspect - so I had to edit my reply 8-/.

D'oh.

Then I was merely saying I'll skip gears - shift direct (one clutch) from say 2nd to 6th, or downshift (rev matched) from 6th to 3rd... maybe even 2nd in the right situ 8-).

basically, just disregard my idiocy and you'll be better served!

Paul
CT
past: '87 930 | '58 TR3A | '01 //S8 | '95 //S6 6spd | '88 ///M5 | '87 190E 2.3-16 |

Mark in Baltimore

I skip gears a lot, too. I often go from 1st to 3rd to 5th to save on gas and to reduce wear and tear.

ca993twin

I often skip a gear in my Scion, but NEVER in Rufus. Why? Because of the pure joy of shifting and the wonderful sounds it makes on each gear change. I simply can't help myself.

Nautilus

Great post guys.
I always heel & toe when downshifting and knew what double clutch was but did not know that even with a modern synchronized gearbox you can reduce wear & tear by double clutching.

I’ll try to give it a go from now on...

sonny1

I only rev match, I have steel synchros.,some times (track time) heel & toe.,cheers.Sonny1.

DanL993

Tried both now. Back to double clutching (or as the British call it, double declutching).

Smoother transition and far less effort to select the lower gear.

vaujot

I just tried this in my old car. Indeed, first gear goes in easier. Thanks for the tip.

Shtootgart

By "engage" do you mean actually get the car moving from a stop (release the clutch) in 5th or 6th gear or just move the stick into the 5/6 position on the same clutch depression as your 1st gear shift ? Sorry, just wanted to be clear before I potentially grind out a pound of tranny metal

ca993twin

If you try to actually move your car from stopped in 5th or 6th gear you will either stall the engine or have to slip the clutch so badly that you will leave a smokey haze in your wake. No, just pop the lever into 5th or 6th gear to stop the input shaft BEFORE selecting 1st gear and moving off.

Shtootgart

Figured that's what you meant but thanks for clarification.