Do you Rev match?
Author
Discussion

Level 7 Boss

Original Poster:

212 posts

165 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
After a recent topic on the 350z forum, it appears that most owners rev match on downshifts, even though the brake and throttle pedals are miles apart lol. For me, despite being on Pistonheads, I'm not a driving God (rescind his membership), I was wondering if anyone on PH does rev match, how they learnt, and explain the benefits (drive train etc)

Is simply revving the engine, when the clutch is engaged a viable alternative?

markmullen

15,877 posts

263 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
I rev match, toe and heel and double declutch most changes, unless I'm instructing.

Why? Because I can, and it makes for smoother progress. It also sounds good hehe Finally on some of the cars I end up driving it is necessary.

How did I learn? My dad taught me the principles, then I practiced in company cars hehe

Edited by markmullen on Wednesday 11th December 12:44

abbotsmike

1,033 posts

174 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
I do in any vehicle that I can manage it. If I'm not driving it much, then it's difficult to get a good feel for it. Heel and toe in a transit minibus makes for much smoother and more controlled progress on B-Roads I find.

J4CKO

46,819 posts

229 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
Yeah, I do it in most cars, especially in my 350 as the pedals are quite well set for it, if not on a mission I just blip the throttle.

I find in our Galaxy if wanting to make progress its best to heel and toe it, it is amazing how fast I can get that heffer to hustle along at if I drive it properly, and I am not even remotely angry when doing it.


TREMAiNE

4,164 posts

178 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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I'm trying to teach myself...

It's bloody hard though - or am I doing it wrong?

Stiggolas

361 posts

176 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
For me it's always been about mechanical sympathy, less stress on the drivetrain, more comfortable for passengers etc. I've done my fair share of competitive driving and just fell into the habit of heel / toe downshifts or even a cheeky clutchless left foot braking downshift which is only possible if you match the revs. I still do this most times and I now drive a Pug 406 diesel! (hopefully help save the DMF!)

heners54

286 posts

168 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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Got to love a blip of throttle on a downchange!

I do it mainly because dragging the clutch surely wears it out faster and isn't as smooth, and I like blipping the throttle hehe

Tickle

6,447 posts

233 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
Rev matching isn't necessarily done under braking this is heel & toe http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_heelt...
there are alot of threads on this!

back to the question of do you rev match. Day to day commute sometimes to keep smoothness. Heel & toe not really day to day driving but most defiantly when hooning.

pti

1,853 posts

173 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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Yep. Certain synchros are less than fresh frown

I have done for a good while though. It sounds good, is much kinder to the drivetrain and allows for smoother progress.

framerateuk

2,935 posts

213 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
Yeah I always rev match/heel and toe. In the Caterham it's pretty much automatic as your foot is covering both pedals anyway.

I just prefer the smoothness or ride you get from doing it properly.

Currently have an diesel Insignia courtesy car and I must admit it's not ideal to rev match with!

Jayyylo

986 posts

176 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
Yes. I almost always rev-match or heel and toe but I've never double declutched as I don't really know what extra benefit it brings. I find it easier to be smooth even just around town.

It just takes practice when you put your mind to it. Same as learning clutch control when you first begin.
If you ever try left foot breaking make sure there are no passengers in the car haha.

framerateuk

2,935 posts

213 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
TREMAiNE said:
I'm trying to teach myself...

It's bloody hard though - or am I doing it wrong?
Takes a while to get into.

Depending on the car (and the size of your feet), it can be difficult to get right. On a lazy eco engine it can be a waste of time as the throttle response just isn't there.

Definitely practice rev-matching before heel and toe-ing. And only when you're not in busy traffic. It's pretty hard to do it on track for the first time too, so you just need to be aware of your surroundings.

JDMDrifter

4,063 posts

194 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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Rev matching has to be done, it makes the car a million times smoother.

HustleRussell

26,493 posts

189 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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I rev match. Heel & Toe when braking, or a simple rev of the engine while the clutch is depressed if I just want a lower gear (i.e. approaching a downhill). Double declutching still doesn't come naturally though!

Figured out how to do it in my first two cars (Clio/Caterham), use the skills for racing sometimes and on the road often, more for my own enjoyment than any particular benefit.

AndyLB

428 posts

193 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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Not neccessary at all on the road. I do it on track when the corner requires it.

CB2152

1,555 posts

162 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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I do heel toe downshift. Personally I don't like rolling around out of gear. Also, if I'm pressing on, it makes for smoother and faster progress into and through a bend.
When downshifting without braking, I tend not to double declutch, but do make sure the revs are matched as perfectly as possible.
I learned by going out late at night and practised on the approach to all the roundabouts near me (there are loads). It's definitely helped me become a more smooth driver.

MotorsportTom

3,343 posts

190 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
Bike rider so a bit different but rev match on nearly every downshift.

I taught myself via practice and it took approx a few weeks of everyday riding to get from the odd lucky one that worked to getting nearly every one spot on.

Don't be disheartened by it not working straight away just keep practising.

Every bike I have ridden since it has been almost automatic to blip the throttle on downshifts.

As above it's smoother mainly so why wouldn't you want to learn?( imo)

LukeR94

2,218 posts

170 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
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I'm still getting the hang of it when driving normally, when going for a hoon I find it second nature to rev match and heel and toe. but its tough when driving normally, just takes practice I guess...

p1esk

4,914 posts

225 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
Stiggolas said:
For me it's always been about mechanical sympathy, less stress on the drivetrain, more comfortable for passengers etc. I've done my fair share of competitive driving and just fell into the habit of heel / toe downshifts or even a cheeky clutchless left foot braking downshift which is only possible if you match the revs. I still do this most times and I now drive a Pug 406 diesel! (hopefully help save the DMF!)
Are you sure your 406 diesel has a DMF? I have a 2000 model 406 HDi 90 and I don't think it has a DMF. If it has one it's surviving very well, as the car is now on 182,000 miles and the original clutch is still in there.

Maybe it's only the 406 HDi 110 that has a DMF.

George7

1,130 posts

179 months

Wednesday 11th December 2013
quotequote all
I rev match all the time, but I'm rubbish at heel and toe; I always press the brake too hard.