I found this in the bowels of the FAQ section, mainly from the US, but relevant to everyone.

How to properly shift your S2000
Skip Shifting is brutal

As they say on the thread, it was written in 2006, new owners are coming along all the time and this seems import info?

 

In Uk terms its known as "block changes" and is the norm in the IAM.

And of course formula 1 cars do it all the time! I thought but will be advised of my error soon that they programmed the boxes to do this for each track as and when required.We don't hear them going down through 7 at the end of a long straight for a hair pin?

We have decent brakes not like a car from the 1920's and 30's etc, when changing down through the box was often the only reliable way to slow down a regular basis. Also the reason push pull steeringcame about no power steering and huge steering loads you need the wheel on your chest to be able to turn it, and to cross hands meant you often got in a muddle. We only have a couple of turns lock to lock and a small power assisted wheel , the IAM still do not approve of crossing arms though.

This of course mainly applies to road driving on a day to day basis, commuting etc. when you see the lights change, why mess around going down through 6 gears, leave it in 6 or what ever gear your in until engine speed is right down without labouring. Then neutral and stop. Less effort less wear and tear. And the same changing up, just dont ask the syncros to do to much work, match the revs to the given gear at the given speed.

And why if one has accelerated fairly hard in 1st 2nd 3rd and reached the desired terminal velocity bother with 4th ad 5th go directly to 6th.

More time to watch the girls go by!!!!!!!!!!!!! or boys depending on your gender or predilection

And reduce your stress and labour and and the wear on the box.

Erm I am useless at all of this and still change gear like I am driving a Massey Ferguson! my box will fall out soon I am sure

But Gears to go and brakes to slow for me mostly, brake pads are cheaper than engines and boxes

 

There is a degree of truth in that article but its nothing to worry about.

The syncro rings are essentially clutches so every time you change gear you wear them slightly. The higher the speed differential between the gear speeds the faster they'll wear.

But the amount of wear is insignificant.

Americans do seem to struggle with their manual gearboxes though. I can only assume its because a 'stick shift' is the exception rather than the rule so they are just not as competent at using a manual gearbox.

 

Lower, I was going to suggest it was maybe a problem of unfamiliarity across the pond but didn't want to upset any one.

Oh did you see the new lift accident yesterday, Not heard any more about SM by the way

 

The other thing is if you are barrelling up to a corner is it not better to keep your hands on the wheel and in control letting the brakes do the slowing and one change already planned for the corner and its exit?

 

I think the key is, if you are redlining you should use the next appropriate gear. I suspect 'skip shifting' at other revs wouldn't be so much of an issue.

 

Slightly OT!

Whilst at the Metropolitan Police Driving School at Hendon, I asked whether it was better to slow the vehicle on the engines or the brakes.

The answer was: "Always use the brakes. Firstly, if the brakes are going to fail, the sooner you find out the better. Secondly, it is cheaper to repair the brakes than the engine".

 

The lift accident in Newquay?

I'm not trying to upset any of the yanks, but you hear of a lot more gearbox and syncro damage from over there than you do in the uk.

 

Why do you need both hands on the wheel to be in control in a straight line?

The best thing to do is to be as smooth as possible, and that means using the gears. And if you're in the wrong gear, then you're not fully in control, especially in a car not known for its low down torque.

 

Yes we do. They're all sequential gear boxes.