Downshifting
- Boston Fit
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Downshifting
Do you downshift when approaching a stop sign, red light, etc.?
I don't. I just step on the brake and then put it in neutral before coming to a full stop.
Last edited by Boston Fit on Thu May 30, 2013 4:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- jomotopia
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Re: Downshifting
It depends. If I can see that I'm going to have to stop from a decent distance away, I will usually downshift from 5 -> 4 and coast/engine brake, then stop and got to neutral from there, or continue on without ever braking if the light changes or whatever. But if it's something like going short distances between stop signs and lights I'll usually just brake in whatever gear I'm in then go to neutral
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Re: Downshifting
Same as Jomo. I also look at the light timing from the other direction and if I'm familiar with the intersection's timing, I'll downshift to a lower gear and engine brake until my green comes on. When that happens, I'm already in the necessary gear and ready to roll. Make sure coast is clear and get out the gate while the other drivers are still slowing even the the light has changed to green for them. Can't tell you how often that happens. Makes me think that people aren't looking at the lights when they are stopping for them. They are probably doing the smartphone crotch stare.
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Re: Downshifting
I do both depending on situation like they stated above.
It depends on whether I have to come to full stop or not. If I'm going to have to come to a complete stop then downshifting is just unnecessary clutch wear so I just coast in current gear and get into neutral before coming to a stop. That being said, sometimes I do it anyway cus its fun. lol or if I'm going downhill or uphill.
It depends on whether I have to come to full stop or not. If I'm going to have to come to a complete stop then downshifting is just unnecessary clutch wear so I just coast in current gear and get into neutral before coming to a stop. That being said, sometimes I do it anyway cus its fun. lol or if I'm going downhill or uphill.
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Re: Downshifting
Depends on the undergarments. Usually I'll just coast as far as I can and then apply the brake. If I think the light will change more quickly I'll go 5-3 so that I have enough scoot to get back up to speed if I need to. I very rarely downshift only 1 gear at a time.
Re: Downshifting
Can't say yes and I can't say no. Why? Well, because sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. If any poll needs a "sometimes" option, it is this one.
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Re: Downshifting
Yes, a sometimes option would be nice. I put yes because I do it a lot, though sometimes not through all the gears, sometimes skipping a gear or going into neutral after downshifting through one or two gears. So to me the "no" option is more or less if you usually don't do any downshifting.
Downshifting is fun! Especially coming into a hard corner needing to peel about 10 or 15 mph off the speed with a high level of engine braking.
Downshifting is fun! Especially coming into a hard corner needing to peel about 10 or 15 mph off the speed with a high level of engine braking.
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theholycow wrote:Why in the world would you even want to be as smooth as an automatic? Might as well just drive an automatic...
Re: Downshifting
I voted sometimes, though the vast majority of the time, it would be never. About the only time I do is if I think that I will not be stopping completely. If I know I will be stopping completely, I will put it in neutral as long as I'm using the brake, or just coast down in gear until I can't anymore, then go to neutral.
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- Boston Fit
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Re: Downshifting
By popular demand, a "Sometimes" option has been added. The choices are now Always/Sometimes/Never. To clarify, I had in mind situations where you are coming to a complete stop - as opposed to momentarily decelerating.
As revised, I am in the "never" camp.
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Re: Downshifting
When coming to a complete stop - sometimes. So I've revoted based on new parameter added. I bet the vast majority here will be in the "sometimes" camp.
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Re: Downshifting
I think you're right.AHTOXA wrote:When coming to a complete stop - sometimes. So I've revoted based on new parameter added. I bet the vast majority here will be in the "sometimes" camp.
I don't, until I do.
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Re: Downshifting
I'm pretty sure that, in the FC, I was always looking for an excuse to downshift, so I probably did most of the time.
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Re: Downshifting
It really depends. Most of the time I will just take my foot off the gas and let it go down to about 1,000rpm and then just throw it in neutral and brake. If there is absolutely no one behind me and I know the light will be red for awhile, I might downshift all the way.
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Re: Downshifting
"Ain't no one messing with our shifters!!"
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Re: Downshifting
I am having a hard time thinking of a situation when I don't. Why use the brakes when I can use the natural deceleration of the engine to slow me down? Also, I live in an area that is very hilly so it is a huge help going down those big hills! Anyway, aren't you supposed to downshift?