Can you skip shift? - Page 3

Karl Roth · 02-14-2008, 11:17 AM

The owners manual dissuades using engine breaking during the break in period, break pads are cheaper than engine rebuilds BTW. it does very smooth downshifts.
karl

Karl Roth · 02-14-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul c

If I'm not mistaken, that third pull will put you in second.

you are correct
karl

24-42 · 02-14-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LorbeerTLC

When I come off the freeway in my del Sol, I rev the engine to match the RPM's speed in 4th, shifting from 5th to 4th, it's very smooth. I continue this sequence down to about 3rd gear. This saves wear & tear on the brakes.
Can you do this in the 451 or does it kill engine speed when it disengages the clutch?

-Tom L.

The clutch will remain engaged down to less than 10mph. You could downshift to 1st gear if you wish to. Matching rpm to the car speed of the selected gear is not only smooth, but easier on the clutch.
That is part of the learning curve, the challange if you will, of you and your car becoming 'One', 'A team'.
As I have stated before, it is a std. sequencial transmission.
Downshifting is 'SOP' for us (old) sports car (MG TC,TD,TY) drivers. ( I downshift my wife's automatic).
The smart does this very well.
Learn the rpm for each gear at any speed within that gear's range (tach is very helpful).

Donald LaFavor

cosmart · 02-14-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

The owners manual dissuades using engine breaking during the break in period, break pads are cheaper than engine rebuilds BTW. it does very smooth downshifts.
karl

That is very odd. With most new cars the recommendation is to vary speed and use engine braking to seat the rings properly.

I've never bought the 'engine braking is bad' BS. And neither have the four vehicles I've owned that have gone 200K miles or more.....without rebuilds.

jonnysan · 02-14-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

The owners manual dissuades using engine breaking during the break in period, break pads are cheaper than engine rebuilds BTW. it does very smooth downshifts.
karl

It would be very easy to over-rev the engine if you downshifted alittle too far given a particular road speed. Engine breaking during break-in is good for properly breaking in the compression rings as it creates negative pressure in the combustion chamber and draws lubrication up into the rings to keep them lubricated as the break in. The oil rings also benefit for the same reason.

John

24-42 · 02-14-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnysan

It would be very easy to over-rev the engine if you downshifted alittle too far given a particular road speed. Engine breaking during break-in is good for properly breaking in the compression rings as it creates negative pressure in the combustion chamber and draws lubrication up into the rings to keep them lubricated as the break in. The oil rings also benefit for the same reason.

John

This becomes a mute point if you follow what I said in my post above.

To be able to downshift with confidence, do the following;

1. In manual mode, begin in 1st gear, accelerate to it's max comfortable speed (mph)
IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PRECEEDING STATEMENT, STOP READING AND DON'T ATTEMPT TO DOWNSHIFT.
For those who are still with me, make a note of the max mph for 1st gear.

2. Shift to 2nd and follow the same procedure.
3. Shift to 3rd and same same.
4. Shift to 4th and same same.

When downshifting, do not downshift to the next gear if your car speed is higher than the max you determined when you made your note.
If you have a tachometer you can do the same as above using rpm instead of mph.
Donald LaFavor