My girlfriend is learning to drive standard. (been driving auto for years - so she's not a "new" driver) She's taking driving lessons with a company that specializes in it (www.shifters.ca), and is practicing on the S. During these practice sessions, i realized that she is downshifting in a different order than I normally do on the street. Of course she is only doing what her instructor has taught her.


When approaching a turn or stop, she:
(1) brakes, (2) depress clutch, (3) downshift, (4) release brake, (5) rev match, (6) release clutch.

Now, for normal street driving (slowing down), I usually:
(1) depress clutch, (2) downshift, (3) rev match, (4) release clutch, (5) release gas

My question is which is the prefered method? On the street, my method is much lighter on the brakes. However, during spirited driving, or track events, her current method is more inline with aggressive braking and using heel-toe for the downshift. (she would have to learn to combine steps 4&5).

Any thoughts? BTW, she will be attending an advanced driver training day in the 'S' in a few months so i'd really like to get her comfortable driving by then.

 

On the track the order is usually 1-2-5-3-6-4. On the street when you are no where near the limit, most anything will do.

 

Track:
1-2-N-6-5-2-3-6-4

AutoX:
1-2-3-5/6-4

Street:
1-2-N-6-5-2-3-6-4

 

Double clutch? Why is that necessary in cars equipped with synchros?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2Thizzle

 

Depends on whatcha mean. The engine is an awfully expensive brake...

 

I used to double clutch heel-toe downshift because I learned on a BMW 2002 with bad syncros. I went to a Skip Barber driving school and was doing the same when the instructor looked at what me lin the middle of a shift and asked what the h*** I was doing. I told him - heel/toe double clutch. He said he had heard of it - but had never seen it (he was a young guy) - and told me that noone double clutches any more.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by silvershadow
I used to double clutch heel-toe downshift because I learned on a BMW 2002 with bad syncros.

 

Thanks for your input guys.

Given your techniques, it sounds to me like she's on the right track. Her current method should be easier to adopt more advanced shift patterns if she continues to practice her current sequence.