What do you do when turning?


Lets say you are crusing at 35 in 4th gear and you need to make a turn. You slow down to about 25 and downshift into 2nd gear using the clutch. Do you leave your foot on the clutch as you turn and let go when you accelerate out of the turn? Because when you are actually turning, you are not using the gas, and I was told you need to have the clutch in when you are not using the gas.

Most people I have run across shift the car into neutral using the clutch when coming to a stop sign or a red light so thats what I've been doing.

 

Again this is a racing scenario, but in most cases you are either accelerating and upshifting or decelerating and downshifting either way the clutch is engaged most of the time. In most cases you should get in the habit of decelerating in a straight line and then accelerating slightly through the turn. No braking and steering (trail braking) at the same time. At stop lights I sit with the car in neutral and the clutch engaged. Quite a bit I actually use the ebrake to hold the car at a stop instead of the service brakes or to assist in preventing roll back when starting on a hill.

On the street you are simply targeting the correct gear for the speed (second in your example) you are going so that when a minimum throttle is applied the car neither accelerates or decelerates (e.g. about 3000 to 4000 rpm). In most cases you will find that you are actually powering through the corner slightly as turning your front wheels will start to scrub off speed and you need additional power to maintain your speed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tbalon
[B]Again this is a racing scenario, but in most cases you are either accelerating and upshifting or decelerating and downshifting either way the clutch is engaged most of the time.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kumar75150
[B]What do you do when turning?

Lets say you are crusing at 35 in 4th gear and you need to make a turn.

 

Why wouldn't one downshift? Isn't it fun? Isn't this the reason we have this car? Why are we even in 6th gear at 55 mph? Sixth gear is for 150 mph!

Recently, on a vacation in a hilly area, I enjoyed the week because I had to drive from place to place on hilly, curvy roads. Oh, death where is thy sting! I kept my rental in 2nd & 3rd., accelerating in the two gears to downshift to slow down for upcoming turns. It was wonderful. Why would I ever want to be in neutral?

 

Anyone want to sell their AP1 flywheel? Please PM me if you do, thanks.

 

So when shifting at normal driving, should you release the clutch slowly or fast?

 

You're a member. Start your own thread and ask specific questions regarding shifting up, down, or both. You may get some noob hater stuff but someone will answer your question in short order - usually.

As a general rule release (engage) the clutch when the shift is complete.

Fock - I just bumped an 11 year old thread. Advice remains the same.

 

and on that note....