Smooth Gear Changes

[Lady Godiva]

Many thanks to everyone kind enough to help in the past.

Sorry to be a bother again, but could someone give any tips on smooth gear changes. In particular, the ones from rest, from 1st to 2nd, then 2nd to 3rd, are slightly jerky.

If I can put this into perspective, I don't mean that the passenger is hitting his or her head on the fascia. Rather it is not as smooth as the IAM books and factsheets seem to suggest.

Is there a simple, easy way to practice and perfect this. I find that the main 'jerk' when chaging gear (apart from my rather facetious Husband!) is when de-clutching, rather than taking the pedal back up. The passenger nods (slightly) when I press the clutch down.

All comments from smooth drivers would be most appreciated.

Regards
Sally

[Lady Godiva]

Wow, quite a lot to think about.

The main time that there is a jerk is only in the lower gears, on the initial de-clutch. Also, if I can put this into perspective, the passengers head only nods an inch or 2. It's just that I want to do it as per the IAM, who say the passenger shouldn't notice the change.

To be honest, the passenger(s) don't say anything, it's just that I notice it when looking for it, checking to see how 'silky smooth' I am.

Reading the above, I am slightly confused. Should I de-clutch before lifting off the accelerator, or should I fully lift off the accelerator before de-clutching. Sorry to be pedantic, but there appears to be different solutions given.

Regards
Sally

[Lady Godiva]

Gentlemen - many thanks, that is a lot clearer.

By the way, I've just re read my question above, and it comes across as slightly critical. Can I assure you it wasn't intended, I was simply asking for clarification and assistance. It is my own knowledge I question, not your good selves.

Thanks again, and I will be practicing the 'rolling off' technique this afternoon.

[Lady Godiva]

7db said:

It's how slowly the trace moves around the g-g space that determines comfort.

Oh absolutely 7db, I know exactly what you mean. NOT!

Don't forget, the only g-g I'm involved with is the 14h Welsh cob my daughter rides.

However, I believe understand your general thrust, in that the change, rather than the acceleration itself, is the problem area.

The good news is that I was out last night practicing the 'roll off the pedal' tip and it appears to work wonderfully. It's almmost a case of relaxing the foot such that your mind knows it's done it, without being able to say there is the movement. If you can feel the movement, it's almost backed off too much. Does that make sense?

In practice, I was tootling along in 1st, then I prepared to change, relaxed the RF slightly, then declutched and fully backed off, and watched my passenger's head out of the corner of my eye. Super, no movement at all. Very pleased indeed.

Re the revs dropping, I've found that in the MGF the revs do drop quickly (although nowhere near as quickly as a Cerbera or Porsche). Because of this I always give a little gas coming back into an upshift.

However, I've read what cars you boys drive, and they seem to be rather powerful, and exude testosterone. One of the threads above referred to sports cars dropping the revs, and I've always wondered about the MGF. Do you see it as a sports car, or is it only things like the Cerbera, Caterham, etcetera, that you see as 'proper' cars. Where does my baby come into it.

[Lady Godiva]

cptsideways said:

....in my wifes car. Some careful & polite tips .....

Very wise, very wise indeed!

If I may task you all even further, I feel that I am getting better with the upshift. I'm dropping off the revs slightly before the change, and it appears to be working. However, on the downshift, I know that I should match the engine revs to the road speed, but I have 3 main queries.

1) how do I know what they should be. 4th to 3rd at 60mph requires different engine revs that 4th to 3rd at 30mph. I appreciate that this comes with experience, but is there a guideline to practice with initially.

2) should I be dabbing the pedal, almost a short stab, or should it be a deliberate pressure increase (which obviously would take longer).

3) to match the revs takes me longer than not matching the revs, so the gearchange is longer. Is it okay to be doing a longer, more deliberate change, or should it be snappy happy.

Thanks to everyone, and I only wish I had advice I could offer you rather than always the other way around.

Regards
Sally

[Lady Godiva]

GreenV8S said:

If you have got the throttle right, when you dip the clutch the revs won't change. It's worth challenging yourself to do this from time to time. Similarly when you engage the clutch, you should not feel a lurch as the clutch drags the engine speed up or down.

TripleS - many thanks for your kind comments.

GreenV8 - I dont understand your first comment above when you say that the revs wont change when I dip the clutch. Wont the revs always change when the clutch is first depressed, mainly because I'm coming off the accelerator. Or, or you saying that I'm changing too early, and a higher rev would stay higher (if that makes sense).

Regards
Sally

[Lady Godiva]

GreenV8S said:

If you have the throttle exactly neutral, so that the engine is not applying any acceleration or decelleration to the car, then when you disengage the clutch the revs won't change at all.

Can you talk me through this please. Assume I am out on the open road, in 2nd, accelerating up, ready to go into 3rd.

Can you let me know what to do, when and how, because I would like to go out and practice. Do I get it to xk revs, and what should they be, and do I back off fully, etc. Your comments would be most appreciated.

Regards
Sally