skipping gears on downshifts

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karatemaserati

Member
Messages
493
what happens if i try and skip gears on downshifts ie i want to go from 4th to 2nd? iv been tempted to try double tapping the paddles but im not sure if this is possible/good for the car.
 
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karatemaserati

Member
Messages
493
even in my 02?

anotherthing is mine blips on down changes, iv heard that this is because it is original 02 software which employs quicker shifts

than later revisions and is better for the clutch as a result but a tad mor jerky? anyone here heard that
 
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SpyderNick

Junior Member
Messages
326
Yes, the upgrade for the early cars smoothed out the gear change and removed the blip. I seems rare that early cars have not been updated by a main dealer and I think the consensus on this forum is that most who have would like to go backwards, so made sure no dealer upgrades it for you. As for the clutch wear, I think the second series was far better, mine has done well over 30k and still has 30% left.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,796
karatemaserati said:
even in my 02?

anotherthing is mine blips on down changes, iv heard that this is because it is original 02 software which employs quicker shifts

than later revisions and is better for the clutch as a result but a tad mor jerky? anyone here heard that
Click to expand...

Why not on your 02? Mine's an 02 as well :)

Mine also blips on the down shift, and is quick capable of making the occupants look like either they are auditioning for the Churchill advert, or re-enacting 'that scene' in Wayne's World.

More on the upshift, natch.

I'm still not convinced abut this 'fast vs long life' thing. It would be really nice to understand how the CC computers deal with slippage in the different revisions, as as far as I can tell, that's going to be the only way to determine which wears more....

C
 
rossyl

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
Are we entering the foot off the pedal when shifting gear vs. foot on the pedal vs feathered foot slightly on pedal ... territory.

FYI I've gone for the foot completely off approach.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,796
rossyl said:
Are we entering the foot off the pedal when shifting gear vs. foot on the pedal vs feathered foot slightly on pedal ... territory.

FYI I've gone for the foot completely off approach.
Click to expand...

Can't see the point, myself. The CC computer does it all as far as I can tell.

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karatemaserati

Member
Messages
493
because im assuming when you drop down to first then you slow down some more, eventually the clutch starts to disengaged to a point where it slips and the car is sitting still in first gear on the clutch.... obviously to increase clutch life you want to avoid going below the point where it starts to disengage and slip.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,796
karatemaserati said:
because im assuming when you drop down to first then you slow down some more, eventually the clutch starts to disengaged to a point where it slips and the car is sitting still in first gear on the clutch.... obviously to increase clutch life you want to avoid going below the point where it starts to disengage and slip.
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I very much doubt the amount of energy being used slipping the clutch as you come to a halt is significant when compared to that used in accelerating the car. Otherwise you wouldn't need brakes.
Like I say, I doubt there's a constant point. You could try listening to it.

If you're that worried, drop it into neutral an stop on the brakes alone.

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rossyl

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
CatmanV2 said:
Can't see the point, myself. The CC computer does it all as far as I can tell.

C
Click to expand...

I've found that when you are for example in 3rd gear driving along:
- If you gently lift your foot slightly,
- flip a paddle to change up,
- and then start to depress your foot...
you burn the clutch.

This is because the gear is yet to engage and you are already pushing the accelerator.

If you wait for the gear to engage before you put your foot on the accelerator, you don't burn the clutch at all.

Those are my thoughts.
 
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Chrisbassett

Member
Messages
3,909
I think there's a point where it disengages completely from first at very low speeds when you brake. You can then sit in gear at the lights and have no movement even with your foot off the brake. Not sure what point it is. But I think with the speed being so low, the amount of slippage won't be too onerous on the clutch. Many do recommend going into neutral and coasting to a stop on the brakes instead of allowing the downshifts and the final de-clutch. As far as I can tell, it's not sitting on the clutch at any point, just re-engages as you push the throttle pedal.
 
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SpyderNick

Junior Member
Messages
326
I think there are 2 things here.

1. When dropping gears to accelerate, you should let the car know that you want to go faster rather than slower, so you put your foot flat to the floor and then drop the gear/s. that's what I was told by a dealer and that seems to make sense to me.

2. Changing down to slow up, i always drop through the box to use engine braking, that's just the way I was taught to drive. Because of the short clutch life on almost all early semi autos people feared for their clutches and did everything they thought might help, ie always into neutral at rest. But since the clutches and software have improved its no longer necessary to fear. However I really could never see how the clutch was being worn at rest as the car does not creep and will roll freely. Auto should also not be an issue as long as you are not constantly in traffic, although I don't see the point in it, it's just no fun.
 
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Chrisbassett

Member
Messages
3,909
SpyderNick said:
2. Changing down to slow up, i always drop through the box to use engine braking, that's just the way I was taught to drive. Because of the short clutch life on almost all early semi autos people feared for their clutches and did everything they thought might help, ie always into neutral at rest. But since the clutches and software have improved its no longer necessary to fear. However I really could never see how the clutch was being worn at rest as the car does not creep and will roll freely. Auto should also not be an issue as long as you are not constantly in traffic, although I don't see the point in it, it's just no fun.
Click to expand...

I do the same, drop through the box or just brake and let the software decide what it wants to do. Occasionally I'll knock the car into neutral and coast to a stop, but more from just enjoying the coasting rather than to try to save the clutch.
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,879
SpyderNick said:
I think there are 2 things here.

1. When dropping gears to accelerate, you should let the car know that you want to go faster rather than slower, so you put your foot flat to the floor and then drop the gear/s. that's what I was told by a dealer and that seems to make sense to me.

2. Changing down to slow up, i always drop through the box to use engine braking, that's just the way I was taught to drive. Because of the short clutch life on almost all early semi autos people feared for their clutches and did everything they thought might help, ie always into neutral at rest. But since the clutches and software have improved its no longer necessary to fear. However I really could never see how the clutch was being worn at rest as the car does not creep and will roll freely. Auto should also not be an issue as long as you are not constantly in traffic, although I don't see the point in it, it's just no fun.
Click to expand...

Fully agree with point one and that is how I have driven it for both cars...also makes a lo lovely 'bark' when you do so.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,796
safrane said:
Fully agree with point one and that is how I have driven it for both cars...also makes a lo lovely 'bark' when you do so.
Click to expand...

Indeed. One pretty sure fire way I've found of confusing the **** out of the CC: Approach a roundabout. Change into third as you analyse the gaps, with a light, and easing throttle, and then see a gap. Deck throttle and hear roar of V8 going utterly no-where as the car was in the process of changing down to second :D

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