Should I be using first or second in this situation?

[Rope-Pusher]

I never hear women refer to their husbands as "the husband".

That's because when men are not around, they are referred to as "il bastardo"

[tankinbeans]

I never hear women refer to their husbands as "the husband".

That's because when men are not around, they are referred to as "il bastardo"

You're probably very right. I don't have to deal with that just yet because I'm still a young'un.

[theholycow]

You're probably very right. I don't have to deal with that just yet because I'm still a young'un.

As you stop being a young'un, be smart: avoid being a husband.

[Fit4Fun]

Divorces are made in heaven, marriages are made in hell. But don't let me influence you.

[potownrob]

i don't remember ever seeing outside escalators before - i assume they don't go well with water and can only be used in places like socal where they don't get rain??

[Shadow]

i don't remember ever seeing outside escalators before - i assume they don't go well with water and can only be used in places like socal where they don't get rain??

We have outside escalators just like that at my job. They run all year long, rain/sleet/snow, just like the mail carriers. lol

[shiftmate]

Just an update to the original post that started this thread. I now cruise around in the parking garage in 2nd gear. I just keep an eye out because I'm traveling faster.

As for the uphill speedbump, I approach in 2nd and I'm working on double-clutching down to 1st to pull away. I double clutch downshift because the syncros won't allow me to downshift unless the car is almost at a standstill. Even with the double clutch, I find I can only get into first (without forcing the shifter) at very low speeds.

Anyway, I've come a long way from a couple of months ago.

[IMBoring25]

You're probably not double-clutching high enough. First is very low in most cars.

[shiftmate]

You're probably not double-clutching high enough. First is very low in most cars.

Could you elaborate? I know first gear is a very small gear, but I don't follow your meaning.

[IMBoring25]

If you drive around in first and see how much throttle it takes to maintain a given speed, it will take that same amount of throttle (Or a little more) to double-clutch into first at that speed. First is typically very low (Lots of RPM for a given speed), so it's initially a little startling how much throttle is really required.

[shiftmate]

If you drive around in first and see how much throttle it takes to maintain a given speed, it will take that same amount of throttle (Or a little more) to double-clutch into first at that speed. First is typically very low (Lots of RPM for a given speed), so it's initially a little startling how much throttle is really required.

OK, I think I understand. So when I double clutch downshift, I need to blip the throttle more than I'm currently doing, which will sync things up such that the shifter will move into first without resistance. Did I get that right?

[watkins]

[shiftmate]

OK, thanks, I'll give this a shot and report back.

[Bill B]

It also depends on the particular car you are driving. My Element 5 speed has a pretty low 1st and 2nd gear, so I can cruise at 5mph in 2nd without much problem. It will start out from a stoplight in 2nd without slipping the clutch much. The only drawback is that it sometimes feels like it could use another gear between 4th and 5th. They do have a 6speed conversion for the Element, but it is hard to justify spending the money on that. My old Saturn SC1 would protest if you got down to 5 mph in 2nd.

[Reverence]

a few things:

When you double clutch rev match downshift in 1st, be careful how you release the clutch pedal> should be controlled, not dumped. Reason is that any slight variation to the target rpm for the gear & speed would result in a massive jolt to the car, which could even stall the car. This is due to the more amplified torque/engine brake you'd get with such a low gear as 1st.
This effect is less dramatic the higher the gear you downshift to.

Normally when in a situation like you describe, when the speed of the car is low enough I just double clutch into 1st, without rev-matching, rarely will I find a situation which would make me think I should have rev-matched into first, and I did it a few times just to try it out, following comments from a few guys in here (Watkins).