If it's fun for you, then fine. That's what this car is all about, just as long as it doesn't distract and endanger others.

In case you haven't figured it out why "heel/toeing" exists and why it's done:
This is mostly applicable and required on a race track or road course. It's generally necessary to enter a corner "hot", thus requiring heavy braking for a significant amount of time. It is during this time that, as speed gets scrubbed off, that you must put the gearbox into a lower gear so you can accelerate rapidly out of the corner. Downshifting requires rev-matching (and in particular, downshifting in to first gear at speed requires a double clutch to be thrown in as well). This most usually is required while applying the brakes heavily and constantly. This is when you need to use your heel to blip the throttle - so you can continue to apply the brakes heavily.
If you are on the street, heavy braking into a corner to scrub off high speed is not generally done. If you do this on a regular basis, you should be arrested. For normal street driving, we go into corners well planned and slow down well in advance of the corner, thus making it unnecessary to brake like that. To slow down in a predetermined fashion, you can simply rev-match downshift, using the brakes if you need a bit more deceleration.
I don't know if driving schools (I'm NOT talking about racing school, but "driving lessons") still teach this as most driving schools today use automatic cars. But when they used to use manuals a lot, they would teach you to try NOT to downshift and brake at the same time. Why? It takes quite a bit of getting used to, to modulate the "compound" effect of engine braking and service braking. If you are already service braking and then you downshift (even with a good rev match by heel/toeing) you will suddenly add extra braking provided by the motor. To make a smooth transition, you would have to modulate LESS service braking. Most people will make the mistake of not rev matching the downshift while they are braking. At the moment of clutch release, we get ..................... "jerkity, jerk, jerk". So come on, fess up. How many of you have done this?
In the real world (street), you would use the service brakes to begin you decel. At some appropriate point of less road speed, you would stop braking and rev match downshift. Once the engine has been reconnected, you can then use the brakes again as needed. Continue in this fashion till you are almost stopped.

"Heel/toeing" is merely a technique to accomplish a task. It's not rocket science. It just takes practice. Saying "I heel/toe all the time" doesn't gain you any brownie points on the street. As Shania Twain's song says, "It don't impress me much."

 

Amen!

 

i just went out and tried to downshift and found it really annoying. you can't get it into 3rd or esp 2nd unless the car is going pretty slow, 25 ish. someone plz teach me how they do it. if i blip the gas to get it into the gear smoothly, it seems wasteful.

 

To properly downshift, you HAVE to blip the throttle. That is rev-matching. Ideally, you want the engine to be at the correct RPM for the gear you are shifting into as you release the clutch.

 

I just came back from a drive on my favorite mountain pass. I just wanted to make sure I was doing everything correctly.

Oh yeah, I'm guilty of "engine braking." I don't do it all the time, but sometimes it slows you down just enough, and you don't need the brakes.

No problems. Still rev-matching + braking (or heel-toe). I don't always get it right on, but I get it close enough that its still very smooth. I'm really happy when I get the revs matched perfectly!

Actually, I don't really heel-toe because of my big @$$ feet and inflexible knees. I kinda just "ball-of-foot-pinky-toe/side-of-foot." Doesn't sound as cool as heel-toe though.

I found a great adapter for my old RX-7 that attached an additional plate to the gas pedal to make it a little wider, and make it easier to blip with the side of your foot. The part I liked is that it sat level with the pedal itself, so it didn't feel funny.

 

Double clutching could upset the suspension twice in a turn on the track resulting in a loss of traction. I would suggest you are going for to low of a gear. Not necessarly a skid but it takes away from the suspension's turning ability twice. You want to watch talent watch Moto GP they will have a clutch cam on Valentino Rossi. As he comes out of a corner and starts to get on the gas he is using the clutch lever to regulate how much the rear tire spins up. I find it facinating.
Remember the goal is to keep the in a balenced state and the tires don't break free. Does it waste gas? Why yes it does.

 

WTF are you on about ????,
the WHOLE POINT in rev-matching is so that the car IS BALANCED!!!!,

go out in your car and take a high speed turn thats quite sharp, do this in 5th or 6th gear and the car will lean right over as you turn...

if your donw in say 3rd gear with the revs at 6500 rpm+ (the power band) the car will stay relativly flat !!!

why do you think all race drivers double clutch or at least rev-match as they are comming in ot a corner?
its so that they are in the power band so they can get a quick exit, it also make the car more balanced so they can take the turn quicker!

 

You will not see a increase in gas consumption. The engine is acting as a brake and will slow the car down. Similar to a "Jake Brake" used on highway tractors.

The only way it burns gas is if open the throttle.. No thottle open, no consumption(other than idle)

 

Ok pupils, let's review what we have learned:

1) Engine braking is good as long as the revs were matched when the lower gear was selected
2) No fuel is used when engine braking, but fuel is used when in neutral.

Also, I think in some states it is unlawful to coast in neutral. Hard to enforce, but unlawful nonetheless.

 

You forgot:

1.5) Fuel is used to bring the RPM up to rev match.

Thank you, teacher.