Right Hand Position During Shifts - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

chunpng · 10th May 2002, 18:41

When I shift, my right hand is over the top of the shifter. To get to first, third and fifth gears, I basically use my palm to push the shifter forward. Going to second, fourth, and sixth, I use both my palm and fingers to move the lever downwards.

Clive Owens in the 'Star' of 'The Hire' DVD, plus a bunch of TV commercials, (by Acura, Pontiac, and others), they hold the shifter like an ice-cream cone (top of shifter visible while thumb and other fingers grabbed the shaft of the shfiter) and PUSH the lever into gears.

I find that cocks my wrist in an uncomfortable position. Do any of you shift like that? Or they're doing that because they're on film to accentuate the shift.

BTW, be very careful when you type SHIFT, or SHIFTER. Took me 3 passes to make sure this posts is suitable for family viewing.

CP

atomic80 · 10th May 2002, 19:03

Interesting thread! You had me shifting an "imaginary" shifter to see how I do it naturally. This leads me to discover that I tend to hold my shifter sideways! I would hold the shifter knob with four of my fingers with the thumb resting on top. It's entirely possible that I'm doing this because of the reduced height brought on by the shortshifter.

greg · 10th May 2002, 19:29

Chunpng - I generally shift like you do - and I agree that Clive's way is hard on the wrist. There is a justification though - by grabbing the lever further down, effectively you are shortening the shift throw (in exchange for requiring more force on the shifts, and loss of positioning precision.)

With your hand in that lower position, if you actually manipulate the lever below the knob as opposed to the knob itself - it seems a little less akward on your wrist.

SWing · 10th May 2002, 19:32

Hey Pong:

This might be a personal preference...BUT my friend told me that it might faster to shift holding the stick like a cone. When you shift the stick forward(up action) you use the whole hand to push it...When you shift the stick down, just use the four fingers to flick the stick downward...makes sense??

but ultimately, it is what ur comfortable with

Sugi
ps. when r we going to do a lunch again?

PhilSeastrand · 10th May 2002, 21:15

Very interesting thread. When I'm driving agressively, I use the cone method. Sometimes when I'm having fun, I'll grab it really low and flick it with my fingers -- as Greg says, you get the effect of a short throw this way. However, most of the time -- just driving around town -- my hand in on top of the shifter.

chunpng · 10th May 2002, 21:17

Actually, the first time I noticed that was in the Acura commercials, and I was saying to myself: What a funny way of shifting! Wait a minute, these Acuras aren't even manual!

Then I saw it again in The Hire, and I thought if the 'pros' are doing it that way, may be I can learn something. I think I'll try it out a little and see if I can get comfortable with this new grip.

CP

Kevmmm · 11th May 2002, 00:16

Quote:

Originally posted by PhilSeastrand
...When I'm driving agressively, I use the cone method. Sometimes when I'm having fun, I'll grab it really low and flick it with my fingers -- as Greg says, you get the effect of a short throw this way...

I tend to shift this way as well. The "cone" method shortens the throws a bit and makes for quicker shifts, at least for me. Go with what is most comfortable for you.

RAREM5 · 11th May 2002, 01:44

The following pictures and notes are from UUC MotorWerks.
This is a tip for people interested in preventing missed gears when driving in a spirited fasion. I have used this technique and works just fine for me. Although I occasionaly missed shift from second to third.

Starting in 1st gear...

Going to 2nd, pull straight back

Going into 3rd from 2nd, backhand the shifter knob and push away from you...

Pulling into 4th from 3rd, the shifter knob is still being backhanded...

Going into 5th from 4th is similar to going into 3rd from 2nd. Still backhandling it, pushing away from you.

Downshifting from 5th to 4th, you continue to BACKHAND the shifter knob. Don't hold it like you're going from 1st to 2nd (picture 2) as this is how people gt into trouble.

Push straight forward to move from 4th to 3rd.

Going into 2nd from 3rd. Note that going into 2nd from 1st or 3rd gear has a specific hand position, different from going into 4th gear from 3rd or 5th. This is the key to this technique as your hand/brain will associate 2nd and 4th gear with different hand positions.

Good luck Guys.

chunpng · 11th May 2002, 02:00

Sang,

That's a good post.

Just curious, during casual street driving, do you guys shift 'real fast' all the time? I have a tendency to do my shifts leisurely.

I guess that's why I've never missed a shift.

CP

RAREM5 · 11th May 2002, 02:45

Quote:

Originally posted by chunpng
Sang,

That's a good post.

Just curious, during casual street driving, do you guys shift 'real fast' all the time? I have a tendency to do my shifts leisurely.

I guess that's why I've never missed a shift.

CP

Thanks,

During casual street driving, I usually shift slower but practice above shifting technique. If I can keep myself shifting from 2nd to 5th during fast driving, I'm ok.