Hi Scotty. Great site. I'm learning to drive a stick shift. In one of your videos you warn against downshifting a lot in a manual car. If I'm in 4th gear and need to make a right turn, by the time I slow down and then come out of the turn the car is halting and has very little power. How do you make turns like these without downshifting? Thanks!
If you're losing power on a turn, then you should definitely downshift to increase power. Drive the way that makes you comfortable...you don't need to have Scotty's advice affect the way you drive. Downshift whenever you need more power at the wheels.
You can use the brakes to slow down and downshift to the appropriate gear or use the brakes to slow down, put it in neutral as you make the turn, then begin upshifting, usually starting with second gear. I do the latter. I typically use the brakes to slow down, not the transmission.
Ok, that makes sense. I'll try the latter suggestion. I was told to baby the transmission because my new 2004 Pontiac vibe base model transmission was known to have longevity issues, as did the Matrix. I really appreciate the tip!!!
Also, try not to keep the clutch pedal pushed in, only long enough to shift gears. When stopped at a light or stuck in traffic, put it in neutral and keep your foot off the clutch. Your bearings will last a lot longer.
Thanks for the tip. Great to know. I've actually been doing that! 🙂
There are right times to downshift and wrong times to downshift.
And there are right ways to downshift and wrong ways to downshift.
Downshifting isn't all bad.
If you like, find an empty parking lot to practice downshifting in a straight line. Slow down like you would slow down in a turn, and then accelerate like you would after a turn. And shift as necessary.
Thanks everyone! I do have a huge empty parking lot around the corner from me where I will keep learning and experimenting. As usual, great advice.
The only time I usually downshift is to make a turn like that. There's nothing wrong it and is safer for turning. I would downshift into 3rd for what you're describing then bump it back into 4th after you're out of the turn. Experiment and have fun with it. The more you practice the more everything will become second nature and you won't over think it.
Thank you. After doing some more driving today, I think I'm going to follow your lead and do the downshift into 3rd on this type of turn. I tried slowing down and going into neutral but I felt a little out of control. Thanks again.
get an automatic and you'll never have to think about which gear you should be in again 🙂
