I ran a search and did not see a thread on this question.
I taught myself how to drive to stick in 1977, and have always put priority on smooth shifts, i.e. no jerky motion, i.e. slower clutch uptake, in all gears.
Since I had the M5, I've ridden more as a passenger in manual cars. I realized that others basically popped the clutch form second gear on (Tako does it in his brand new Merc.). Starting in first, you'd naturally feather the cluth a little more. However, I habitually do slow clutch uptakes through at least third gear, probably fourth also.
Questions:
Am I hurting the clutch by not having rapid full-engagements in higher gears?
Should I pop my clutch now and sacrafice the smoothness?
Is there a way to have a smooth shift AND rapid clutch uptake?
What do you guys do, pop the clutch from second gear on?
good questions...i'm wondering about this well. my car (not an M5) still jerks if i pop* the clutch pedal after shifting for both 1st and 2nd and 3rd gear shifts - so i feather them.
* fyi, pop = rapid full engagement, like you mentioned in your post
The best way to achieve smoothness is not by feathering the clutch, but rather by matching the speeds on both sides of the transmission as the clutch is released. Generally, you shift more slowly as your gear change is made at higher engine speeds because of the greater difference in engine/transmission speed and consequently the amount of time it takes for the engine to slow down and match speeds. Lower gears also generally have larger differences in ratios with adjacent gears than bigger gears, so these also take more time clutched in.
It takes a little practice to get the timing right. It's also a bit better to shift a bit too early than too late, as this yields less of a bumpy ride, and hitting it too fast at least has the benefit of putting engine momentum to the rear wheels.
should clarify that my questions pertain ONLY to upshifts furing accelerations, not downshifts when decellerating. For down shifts I rev match as bets I can.
The difference is on upshifts, once the clutch goes in and the upshift is made, the tire speed is usually higher than the engine speed. Engine slows down during shifts as my foot is off the gas. Thus, there is little jerky motion even on fast clutch releases, at least theoretically.
Quick shifting on upshifts, at all except for really low RPM shifts, will result in a forward lurch as the engine speed drop in that short time will be less than the drop due to gear ratio change. Thus, it is almost always possible to time it so you get the desired speed match.
If you shift early and don't want to shift relatively fast, you will have to feather it and/or give gas while clutched in to speed match.
Originally posted by bernhtp If you shift early and don't want to shift relatively fast, you will have to feather it and/or give gas while clutched in to speed match.
Which is better? feather the clutch or not let off the gas all the way? Like let off the gas a little while still applying gas and then dropping the clutch.
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2008 ///M5 SMG | Alpine White | Black Full Merino Leather w/Aluminum Trim | Logic 7 | iPod Adapter | HUD | Heated / Ventilated & Adaptive Comfort Seats | Comfort Access | Rear Side Airbags | Rear Side Sunshades | Folding Rear Seats | 35% Sides 15% Rear Windshield Tint
you should search some old threads where Greg was talking about this. The answer to your question is "it depends"... you can make shooth shifts, and still be gentle on your clutch. It all has to do with how much torque you are transferring.. If you pop the clutch, and accelerate hard, the extra torque from the enging has to give somewhere, and if the wheel do not lose tracktion, the clutch is the "weekest link" and will ware out faster.
You can shift gentlly and smooth by matching the revs on shifts.
I got to the point that I can make the car "feel" smooth like an automatic tranny...
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Arie
Remember, with an automatic transmission, Shift Happens....
'01 M5 - Titanium Silver/Siilverstone/Aluminum trim
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At the M5 driving expereince they made a point of saying do not let out your clutch too slowly when accelerating hard as thats the fastest way to burn it out. On the other hand I do not recommend popping the clutch either, I would just suggest letting it out smoothly and quickly.
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