Shifting Tips
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256
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From: Austin
Shifting Tips
My new HTG clutch kit is being installed today. I'd like any tips you guys have for the tranny to ensure clutch longevity. This could be shifting technique or clutch technique. I know the basics - don't ride the clutch and I never do but I want to improve my technique so I don't need another new clutch in another 30,000 miles
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Potomac Falls, VA
The most simple thing is the longer you slip the clutch the more wear and tear you put on it. Obviously doing launches is going to put more wear on the clutch too ...
Easiest thing to do when driving is get off the clutch as quick as possible. Don't let off it slowly, just get off it asap ... you may look dumb when shifting from 1st -> 2nd cuz the car will start to buck a little if you dont give it enough gas, but you'll put the least amount of strain on the clutch.
Dunno what else there is to it ... maybe some other people have some better tips, but I don't see any other "clutch saving" techniques.
Easiest thing to do when driving is get off the clutch as quick as possible. Don't let off it slowly, just get off it asap ... you may look dumb when shifting from 1st -> 2nd cuz the car will start to buck a little if you dont give it enough gas, but you'll put the least amount of strain on the clutch.
Dunno what else there is to it ... maybe some other people have some better tips, but I don't see any other "clutch saving" techniques.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,243
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From: NA
Here is a pretty neat resource you can check out:
http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
It's a series of videos you can download made by an owner of an e39 M5. He discusses the basics of driving a manual properly as well as other techniques such as heal toe. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Jim
http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
It's a series of videos you can download made by an owner of an e39 M5. He discusses the basics of driving a manual properly as well as other techniques such as heal toe. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Jim
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,820
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From: Gresham, OR
Originally Posted by superjimbo,Sep 13 2005, 10:24 AM
Here is a pretty neat resource you can check out:
http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
It's a series of videos you can download made by an owner of an e39 M5. He discusses the basics of driving a manual properly as well as other techniques such as heal toe. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Jim
http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
It's a series of videos you can download made by an owner of an e39 M5. He discusses the basics of driving a manual properly as well as other techniques such as heal toe. Check it out and tell me what you think.
Jim
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 1
From: Austin
Yup link is busted - It appears that the BMW website has a link with a space and another link...I stripped out the space and tried both links but no luck... the root of the website (http://www.vidload.de/) says:
An error Arose
This URL is not at present attainable.
Seems like the webserver is ****ed
From the text I saw there and whats been said here it seemed like less gas and quicker off the clutch is what I need to focus on...correct?
An error Arose
This URL is not at present attainable.
Seems like the webserver is ****ed
From the text I saw there and whats been said here it seemed like less gas and quicker off the clutch is what I need to focus on...correct?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 1
From: NA
Hmm..link is working for me just fine. Wait a little bit and give it another try. It's definitely worth checking out.
I just did a google search for "m5 shifting techniques" and it was the 3rd one down.
I just did a google search for "m5 shifting techniques" and it was the 3rd one down.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 1
From: Austin
Yes but does the link the the videos on the website he provided work?
This link works: http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
This link (where the video is) does not: http://www.vidload.de/script/kategorie.php...2&sort=filename
This link works: http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
This link (where the video is) does not: http://www.vidload.de/script/kategorie.php...2&sort=filename
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,189
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From: Texas City
1. You mention one of the biggest killers of clutches, that's riding the clutch. One common mistake I've seen some folks do, they tend to hold their foot over the clutch peddle between shifts. Ever drive down the road and notice that the brake lights on the car in front of you never go off, or keep flashing. That's the idiot trying to hold their foot over the brake peddle because they think it'll reduce their reaction times. The problem is, their leg eventually tires and they wind up riding the brakes. They're not aware of it directly and the result is brakes that wear out in half the time they should and it also heats the brakes up so that when they really "do" need them, they're not going to be as effective because of the added heat. The same thing can happen to the clutch. You won't actually feel it slipping but the adverse effect on the life of the clutch is there nonetheless. Bottom line, if you're not actually shifting gears, your clutch foot should be firmly on the floor, even if that time period is just a second of two.
2. Don't do aggressive starts. Accelerate conservatively and apply enough power to get the car moving reasonably quickly but you want to get your foot off the clutch as quickly and smoothly as possible without putting undue stress on the drive train. That means, no clutch drops and no excess clutch slipping by dragging out the start process too long.
3. Allow the engine to drop naturally to the required rpms on upshifts. The closer you can match engine speed to road speed for the gear you're shifting to, the less wear and tear you'll put on the clutch in the process. An added benefit is that it's a lot more comfortable for passengers and minimized stress on the rest of the drive train.
4. Learn to properly rev match on downshifts. It's harder to do than on upshifts but, like what's mentioned in #3 above, there are many benefits. There's also a certain satisfaction from being able to shift from 6th to 5th, 4th to 3rd, 4th to 2nd, etc. without lurching the car around in the process.
FWIW!
Drive Safe,
Steve R.
2. Don't do aggressive starts. Accelerate conservatively and apply enough power to get the car moving reasonably quickly but you want to get your foot off the clutch as quickly and smoothly as possible without putting undue stress on the drive train. That means, no clutch drops and no excess clutch slipping by dragging out the start process too long.
3. Allow the engine to drop naturally to the required rpms on upshifts. The closer you can match engine speed to road speed for the gear you're shifting to, the less wear and tear you'll put on the clutch in the process. An added benefit is that it's a lot more comfortable for passengers and minimized stress on the rest of the drive train.
4. Learn to properly rev match on downshifts. It's harder to do than on upshifts but, like what's mentioned in #3 above, there are many benefits. There's also a certain satisfaction from being able to shift from 6th to 5th, 4th to 3rd, 4th to 2nd, etc. without lurching the car around in the process.
FWIW!
Drive Safe,
Steve R.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 1
From: NA
Yes but does the link the the videos on the website he provided work?
This link works: http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
This link (where the video is) does not: http://www.vidload.de/script/kategor...&sort=filename
This link works: http://www.bmwm5.com/greg/school/
This link (where the video is) does not: http://www.vidload.de/script/kategor...&sort=filename
Doh! It's a really neat set of videos too. Oh well...
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 1
From: Austin
Originally Posted by Intrepid175,Sep 13 2005, 02:25 PM
1. You mention one of the biggest killers of clutches, that's riding the clutch. One common mistake I've seen some folks do, they tend to hold their foot over the clutch peddle between shifts. Ever drive down the road and notice that the brake lights on the car in front of you never go off, or keep flashing. That's the idiot trying to hold their foot over the brake peddle because they think it'll reduce their reaction times. The problem is, their leg eventually tires and they wind up riding the brakes. They're not aware of it directly and the result is brakes that wear out in half the time they should and it also heats the brakes up so that when they really "do" need them, they're not going to be as effective because of the added heat. The same thing can happen to the clutch. You won't actually feel it slipping but the adverse effect on the life of the clutch is there nonetheless. Bottom line, if you're not actually shifting gears, your clutch foot should be firmly on the floor, even if that time period is just a second of two.
2. Don't do aggressive starts. Accelerate conservatively and apply enough power to get the car moving reasonably quickly but you want to get your foot off the clutch as quickly and smoothly as possible without putting undue stress on the drive train. That means, no clutch drops and no excess clutch slipping by dragging out the start process too long.
3. Allow the engine to drop naturally to the required rpms on upshifts. The closer you can match engine speed to road speed for the gear you're shifting to, the less wear and tear you'll put on the clutch in the process. An added benefit is that it's a lot more comfortable for passengers and minimized stress on the rest of the drive train.
4. Learn to properly rev match on downshifts. It's harder to do than on upshifts but, like what's mentioned in #3 above, there are many benefits. There's also a certain satisfaction from being able to shift from 6th to 5th, 4th to 3rd, 4th to 2nd, etc. without lurching the car around in the process.
FWIW!
Drive Safe,
Steve R.
2. Don't do aggressive starts. Accelerate conservatively and apply enough power to get the car moving reasonably quickly but you want to get your foot off the clutch as quickly and smoothly as possible without putting undue stress on the drive train. That means, no clutch drops and no excess clutch slipping by dragging out the start process too long.
3. Allow the engine to drop naturally to the required rpms on upshifts. The closer you can match engine speed to road speed for the gear you're shifting to, the less wear and tear you'll put on the clutch in the process. An added benefit is that it's a lot more comfortable for passengers and minimized stress on the rest of the drive train.
4. Learn to properly rev match on downshifts. It's harder to do than on upshifts but, like what's mentioned in #3 above, there are many benefits. There's also a certain satisfaction from being able to shift from 6th to 5th, 4th to 3rd, 4th to 2nd, etc. without lurching the car around in the process.
FWIW!
Drive Safe,
Steve R.
on #1: I never ride the clutch - that is I try my best to place my foot on the dead pedal when I am not pushing on the clutch.
#2 I launched a handful of times when I first got the car but haven't launched since then (2 years) for the exact reasons you menitoned
#3 Can you elaborate? I think you mean if I am at 9k in 2nd and I shift the 3rd I should let the rpms drop to around 6k before mashing the gas correct?
On #4 I usually don't downshift - rather I pop the gear to neutral and let the car slow up unless I have to downshift and brake in which case I try to rev match but it doesn't always work
Thanks for the tips and for not flaming me or making me feel like a schmuck for having to replace my clutch at 28k - I'll be sure to pay attention to this when I get her back (hopefully in 3 hours or so)
What FWIW?