dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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Seems my parents were taught different to me how to drive.
As they slow down say from 60 they will go through 4, 3, 2 however I was always taught to slow down to what I needed and then change to 1st / 2nd.
Any benefits of either style? Who does what and why?
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Brabus
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Registered: 25th Oct 07
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I dont see the point in going 60, fith,50, third,30 second, 10, first everytime you want to slow down other than wearing the clutch out.
[Edited on 08-08-2008 by Brabus]
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tom_simes
Show Staff
Organiser: South Wales
Premium Member
Registered: 12th Jan 05
Location: Undy, Newport Drives: Skoda Octavia vRS estate
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The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) recommends block shifting, such as what you do, as brakes are very good these days and do not overheat too quickly, and neither are they expensive to replace.
However, when your parents learnt to drive, brakes were nowhere near the same standards, and as such they were taught to use the gears to slow down, hence moving through each gear individually.
Personally, I block shift but only usually miss one gear out at a time, such as 4th > 2nd, or 5th > 3rd.
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Neo
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Registered: 20th Feb 07
Location: Essex
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Yeah my parents are the same, my dad less so since i have been driving as he spends more time watching my driving than visa verca.
Apparantly going 5th to second and using engine braking is worse for the clutch 
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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Well thats my thinking, keep changing gear, clutch up and down constantly engaging and disengaging is just going on more wear and tear?
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Superlite Ltd.
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Registered: 9th Jan 07
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Your parents were probably taught the stupidly long stopping distances of old too. Drum brakes all round ftl 
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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Yea we are talking 20 years ago for my dad and 27 for my mum, back when you could buy a Mini for £300 
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Gsi_Ire
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Registered: 9th Aug 04
Location: Republic of Ireland
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quote:
Originally posted by Neo
Apparantly going 5th to second and using engine braking is worse for the clutch
add to this the fact that the rev limited wont kick in on the down shift. so if you shift to early to engine brake you risk the chance over exceeding the rev tolorance of the engine. small risk, but its there.
i think of it this way. over work a part designed to ware and be replaced (clutch) or risk over working the engine
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1ROSS8
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Registered: 30th May 08
Location: team silver chasing tec
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only really use the gears to slow down, if i need to slow down quickly or if pads are worn out
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myke
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Registered: 7th Feb 01
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
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i quite often block upshift aswell
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Brabus
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Registered: 25th Oct 07
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1st to 5th petrol saving FTW
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Fonz
Premium Member
Registered: 12th May 06
Location: Newbury, Berks
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depends what i am driving. cant really block change in my Nova, really doesnt like it! but other wise will happily go 5th>3rd or 2nd or 4th > 2nd
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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Yea going on what Fonz is saying, did the older cars not let you block downshift? Think ive heard that somewhere.
I block upshift as well, normally from 3rd to 5th, as I drive a diesel, 3rd is fun in the overtaking lane 
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
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Im in the gear thats appropriate for the best traction and power delivery coming out of the bend im braking into 
I usually miss one gear, and blip the throttle between changes. The between heal toe keeps me entertained.
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dannymccann
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Registered: 9th Aug 06
Location: Doddington, Lincolnshire
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Saying that my GF does something even weirder. As shes slowing down she changes down through the gears with the clutch constantly depressed, its like shes trying to engine brake, but doesnt use the clutch Doesnt even realise shes doing it 
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Third gear makes a good brake when slowing down on a motorway ramp. Also shuts the fuel off increasing economy.
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Tom
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Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
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quote:
Originally posted by dannymccann
Saying that my GF does something even weirder. As shes slowing down she changes down through the gears with the clutch constantly depressed, its like shes trying to engine brake, but doesnt use the clutch Doesnt even realise shes doing it
I've got a mate (girl) who does that, she's a reatrd though
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FlamingCorsa
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Registered: 22nd Apr 03
Location: Shropshire
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i think with my mums driving, clutch will last longer then the way i drive.......... but thats nothing to do with block changing.....lol
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sand-eel
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Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
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I never block shift always 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th up and down, but never put it in 2nd unless going about 15mph odd coming up to traffic light or something.
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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I just stop/slow down and change into the appropriate gear to get going again
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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Depends what way i'm driving.
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Charlotte
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Registered: 30th Jun 08
Location: Swanley, Kent
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i just slow right down. If im in fifth then ill go to forth then slow down to whatever i need to then if need be move into second
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Kurt
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Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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quote:
Originally posted by dannymccann
Well thats my thinking, keep changing gear, clutch up and down constantly engaging and disengaging is just going on more wear and tear?
clutches are for gays
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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I never used the clutch in my fabia, clio gearbox is shite though so i'm forced to use it more.
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kz
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Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
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i usually just chuck it into neutral and roll to a stop 
probably do that around 85% of the time. rest of the time will be a very late block shift to 1st
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