Stick Shift Driving

NYC Driving Lessons

Archives for August 2012

Stick Shift Driving Lesson: Down Shifting

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Key Points

    • If the gas is too responsive, it’s time to up shift
    • If the gas is hardly responding, it’s time to down shift
    • Downshift if the RPM drops below 2000 while driving or slowing down
    • Take your time. There is usually a lot of time to downshift
    • Come off the clutch much slower when down shifting



Introduction to Down Shifting

Down shifting is a little different than shifting up in gear. Downshifting is useful with sudden slow downs and speed ups in day to day traffic. The main difference between down shifting and up shifting is the engine power.

Down shifting goes from low engine power to higher engine power, meaning more response from the engine. More response means the car is going to react more abruptly. The best way to avoid the abrupt reaction is to smooth the transition into the lower gear. Come off the clutch slower and softer than an up shift. That will solve that problem and make down shifting better.

When to Down Shift

If you’re slowing down for any reason, it’s a good idea to consider down shifting. If traffic ahead is slowing down, you’re coming up to a sharp turn, or you’re approaching an exit from the highway, it’s a good idea to consider down shifting.

It’s a good idea to experiment with different gears at different speeds. The more experimenting you do, the better and quicker you can grasp the concept of down shifting.

 

 

Stick Shift Driving in Extreme Weather

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Driving stick shift in heavy snow, rain or wind can be dangerous if not done correctly. If driven  correctly, a manual transmission car can be more effective than an automatic car in extreme weather.

 

Down Shifting

Downshifting can be very helpful in slick conditions. For example; if the road is snowy and you find yourself going down a hill, downshifting gently and progressively is an easier way to slow the car down than stepping on the brakes. Stepping on the brakes can possibly cause the wheels to lock and for you to lose control.

Granted, if you downshift too abruptly, you can also cause the wheels to lose traction and control. The trick is to be comfortable with the clutch and the gear box.

 

Pulling Off

Pulling off in severe weather is generally easier in stick shift vehicles because you can control the acceleration to a higher degree in a manual car. Just letting off the clutch slightly until the car begins to react can help you crawl out of snow and ice more effectively than releasing the brake in an automatic car.


While there are advantages to driving stick shift in extreme conditions, there is still a bigger learning curve than automatic driving. Being proficient in stick shift driving is the first step before being able to handle extreme conditions more effectively.

The advantage is definitely there. It’s up to you to learn what it takes!