how do you downshift?

Answer 1

I'm assuming you're talking about a manual transmission, commonly called a Stick Shift. 99% of the time, you do not need to downshift as long as the car is in motion.

Should you need to downshift to take advantage of engine braking, here's how you do it: 1) Let up on the gas; 2) Brake gently with your right foot; 3) Press down the clutch pedal with your left foot; 4) After the car has slowed due to brake pressure, move the shift lever into the next lower gear; 5) Ease up on the clutch with the left foot and ease up on the brake with the right foot. The transmission may make a whining sound as it slows the car down. This is normal. After the car has slowed sufficiently, gently reapply the gas pedal. Note: all of this takes place almost simultaneously. Practice makes perfect!

The main time you will need to use this technique is on steep downhill grades. The advantage of it is that it gives you better control of the car without overheating the brakes.

Answer 2

Actually, when you downshift, the correct method is to get the engine speed to match the transmission input shaft speed so you don't wear the clutch plate as much.

Example: Let's say your car runs in third gear going 40mph with the RPMs at 3,000.

If you are going 40 mph in fourth, and the RPM's are 2,200, you push in the clutch, shift it to third, the engine speed drops down to 1,000, you let the clutch out, and the mismatch between 3,000 and 1,000 RPMs is absorbed by the clutch plate material.

If you pushed in the clutch, downshifted to third, tapped the gas to get the RPMs up near 3,000, then let the clutch out, there is virtually no mismatch or wear on the plate.

Answer 3

Yep, you don't wanna wear out your clutch. Say your in 5th gear and want to pass on a 2 lane highway, step on the clutch and hit the gas to the higher RPM level (hopefully you have a RPM gauge) or rev it up higher to how the engine would sound if you were just in 4th gear anyway (about ANOTHER 1000 RPM at 55-60MPH) or ANOTHER 3000RPM for 3rd gear? (but thats if your really goin' at it), then put it into gear and let out the clutch. You did it right without the "jerk". Don't do the 3rd unless you really have to and you know what you're doing. So for 4th gear passing have it at about 3500 RPM, in 4th gear, and smoothly let out the clutch. It's about practice and gas pedal reving

Answer 4

Step on the clutch, shift in the opposite manner as when shifting up.

Answer 5

Step on the clutch, shift in the opposite manner as when shifting up.