How to Avoid Down Shifting on a Manual Transmission

Downshifting is a technique for either slowing down or exploiting the greater power of lower gears in a manual transmission vehicle. The driver shifts down in gears (e.g. 4th to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd) to either take advantage of "engine breaking" to complement the slowing force of the car's breaking system or to give the car a significant boost in power, especially when speeding out of turns.

The problem with down shifting is that it can be harmful to the engine and transmission if it is not executed properly and the advantages of using this technique are negligible outside of the auto-racing world. Nonetheless, it is a technique commonly taught to manual transmission beginners who could, in fact, spend their whole lives as a driver never using the down shifting technique once.

If you are an ordinary driver, there are no real disadvantages to avoiding down shifting entirely and many advantages, like improved fuel economy and longer engine and transmission life. For an ordinary driver, the most common use of down shifting would be for slowing down the car, but even in this case brakes are far more effective than down shifting and, unlike down shifting, breaks cause no wear on the engine or transmission.

Here are some useful and safe steps for slowing down your car instead of down shifting.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car with a manual transmission.

1. Consult your car's owners manual or the manufacturer's website and find out what the speed to gear relationships (also called "shift points") are for your car. You should find a chart in your manual or in the documentation on the manufacturer's website with the correct speed to gear shift points. Memorize these shift points. As a very general rule of thumb, the following should match most 5-speed car's gear to speed ratios within a few miles:
   
   1st - 0-15
   2nd - 5-25
   3rd - 15-35
   4th - 30-50
   5th - 45-65 and up

2. Once you've committed the information in step one to memory, follow the tips in step 3.

3. * Use the break to slow down a little: if you're only slowing down 5 to 10 MPH (and you're still above the 3-5 MPH stalling speed) you can simply use the break regardless of what gear you're in.
   * Use the break and the clutch to slow down a lot and determine the gear you should be in based on your speed after you've slowed down. It will take practice to determine which gear will give you the lowest RPMs with good power.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't worry about slowing down or even stopping in a higher gear -- all gears can go down to the stalling speed (about 3-5 MPH) quite safely -- as long as the car isn't lugging or jerking, you're fine. But don't forget to depress the clutch before you come to a stop or your car will also stall in any gear.
• Your goal should always be achieving a balance between the lowest RPMs and the optimal gear for your current speed when speeding up or slowing down. With practice you'll soon be an expert at achieving this goal with your shifts.
• Always depress and release the clutch smoothly and never too fast. If your car jerks when you shift, you're most likely releasing the clutch pedal too fast.