On Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:32:11 +0200, Eero Ahonen wrote:

> Jim Henderson wrote:
>> 
>> Ah, I've never driven a 6-speed vehicle.  From higher gears it would
>> probably be less of an issue,
> 
> It's not that different from a 5-speeder, with which I'd probably go
> 5-4-2 or 5-3-2.
> 
> OTOH with my own car (that summertoy I wrecked, Saab 9000) I've done
> 1-2-5 a lot when accelerating to 80km/h.

Most of my experience was with a 3-speed.  My automatic (which I drive 
now) is also a 3-speed.

On the manual, I would go from 1st to 3rd - going up gears is a bit 
different than going down, going down you drive the engine revs up 
dramatically.

>> but dropping from 3 to 1 can redline the engine, at least IME.
> 
> At least usually yes, at least if you're not running on very low revs on
> 3.
> 
>> Yes, effective use of the clutch in that type of situation would also
>> help - since it would engage/disengage the engine from the drivetrain.
> 
> It would've been wise thing to at first stage, while then I wouldn't had
> to get traction back nor wait for it, 'cause I wouldn't had lost it at
> first place.

Yeah, if I drove a manual now, the clutch would be another tool I'd use.  
In an automatic, you can shift to neutral with similar effect, but with a 
lot less control.

Jim

Post a reply to this message