Destroyed my engine by mis-shifting. Scared to drive again.
Discussion
Disclaimer: I know i’m an idiot, and i’m prepared for comments telling me that i’m a terrible driver that needs to drive an auto.
So, after going into 2nd gear instead of 4th gear when attempting to upshift from 3rd at red-line, I completely destroyed my engine.
I’ve now replaced the engine and will be driving within a few days - but i’m really paranoid about doing the same thing again the next time I visit the track.
I’ve never had problems like this in a car before, but for some reason the gear changes feel a bit TOO smooth in my Leon. I literally couldn’t even tell the difference between 4th and 2nd when I misshifted in the first place. The only indication was the engine revving its tits off once I began to engage the clutch.
I had a MK6 Fiesta before, and I ALWAYS could tell what gear I was going into. It was a bit notchy but it had very positive engagement. I love the way the Leon drives, but the shifter is a massive issue for me.
Besides slowing, is there anything I can do to give me my confidence back when banging through the gears? I’ve thought about installing a short shifter, but I’m slightly worried that having the gears closer to each other will only make this issue worse. On the flip side though, maybe if more force is required to go into each gear, it will be a lot easier to feel a mis-shift before I engage the clutch.
Any modifications that a r3tard like me can do to stop myself completely destroying the engine again? Thanks.
So, after going into 2nd gear instead of 4th gear when attempting to upshift from 3rd at red-line, I completely destroyed my engine.
I’ve now replaced the engine and will be driving within a few days - but i’m really paranoid about doing the same thing again the next time I visit the track.
I’ve never had problems like this in a car before, but for some reason the gear changes feel a bit TOO smooth in my Leon. I literally couldn’t even tell the difference between 4th and 2nd when I misshifted in the first place. The only indication was the engine revving its tits off once I began to engage the clutch.
I had a MK6 Fiesta before, and I ALWAYS could tell what gear I was going into. It was a bit notchy but it had very positive engagement. I love the way the Leon drives, but the shifter is a massive issue for me.
Besides slowing, is there anything I can do to give me my confidence back when banging through the gears? I’ve thought about installing a short shifter, but I’m slightly worried that having the gears closer to each other will only make this issue worse. On the flip side though, maybe if more force is required to go into each gear, it will be a lot easier to feel a mis-shift before I engage the clutch.
Any modifications that a r3tard like me can do to stop myself completely destroying the engine again? Thanks.
As above.
Also look at your hand positioning on the stick as you make the change. The palm of the hand should do the left right pushing. So thumb down for 1/2 and thumb up for 5/6 should stop you getting the wrong set of gates.
https://youtu.be/mu_UPE-ehEA
Also look at your hand positioning on the stick as you make the change. The palm of the hand should do the left right pushing. So thumb down for 1/2 and thumb up for 5/6 should stop you getting the wrong set of gates.
https://youtu.be/mu_UPE-ehEA
I must admit I had a car , I’m trying to remember which, that I would ALWAYS put in 5th instead of 3rd on the up shift if driving enthusiastically.
Difference being , no harm done.
My personal opinion is you need to change your positioning of your arm/wrist as a starter.
You’ve pushed the lever away from you when you were in 3rd gear , pulling downwards. If your arm was in line with the shifter and you’re pulling downwards this shouldn’t be possible.
You also might be being too rough with it , only applying enough pressure to move it as needed. To get max speed on your shifts you’re probably holding it tight and ramming it which is where accidents happen. Slow down and be more sympathetic and it’s almost impossible to make that error.
Difference being , no harm done.
My personal opinion is you need to change your positioning of your arm/wrist as a starter.
You’ve pushed the lever away from you when you were in 3rd gear , pulling downwards. If your arm was in line with the shifter and you’re pulling downwards this shouldn’t be possible.
You also might be being too rough with it , only applying enough pressure to move it as needed. To get max speed on your shifts you’re probably holding it tight and ramming it which is where accidents happen. Slow down and be more sympathetic and it’s almost impossible to make that error.
Most manuals I have driven have been sprung loaded into the 3rd and 4th gear plane. So to go from 3rd to 2nd would require some conscious force on the drivers part. Additionally, if attempting a change at 3rd gear in high revs to (an accidentally selected) 2nd gear, would the synchromesh not baulk the change? I believe there must have been some very heavy-handed use here.
On some gearboxes / change mechanisms you can change springs to increase the loading on the gear change, so it requires more effort to move away from the centred position. The stronger spring also brings the lever, more forcefully, back to the central position. I’ve had this mod done on a caterham 6 speed box (which I know is very different)
FakeCarGuy said:
Disclaimer: I know i’m an idiot, and i’m prepared for comments telling me that i’m a terrible driver that needs to drive an auto.
So, after going into 2nd gear instead of 4th gear when attempting to upshift from 3rd at red-line, I completely destroyed my engine.
I’ve now replaced the engine and will be driving within a few days - but i’m really paranoid about doing the same thing again the next time I visit the track.
I’ve never had problems like this in a car before, but for some reason the gear changes feel a bit TOO smooth in my Leon. I literally couldn’t even tell the difference between 4th and 2nd when I misshifted in the first place. The only indication was the engine revving its tits off once I began to engage the clutch.
I had a MK6 Fiesta before, and I ALWAYS could tell what gear I was going into. It was a bit notchy but it had very positive engagement. I love the way the Leon drives, but the shifter is a massive issue for me.
Besides slowing, is there anything I can do to give me my confidence back when banging through the gears? I’ve thought about installing a short shifter, but I’m slightly worried that having the gears closer to each other will only make this issue worse. On the flip side though, maybe if more force is required to go into each gear, it will be a lot easier to feel a mis-shift before I engage the clutch.
Any modifications that a r3tard like me can do to stop myself completely destroying the engine again? Thanks.
First up, is the linkage and shift mechanism correct and working as intended? Can you compare to a same spec vehicle? If not, then start here...So, after going into 2nd gear instead of 4th gear when attempting to upshift from 3rd at red-line, I completely destroyed my engine.
I’ve now replaced the engine and will be driving within a few days - but i’m really paranoid about doing the same thing again the next time I visit the track.
I’ve never had problems like this in a car before, but for some reason the gear changes feel a bit TOO smooth in my Leon. I literally couldn’t even tell the difference between 4th and 2nd when I misshifted in the first place. The only indication was the engine revving its tits off once I began to engage the clutch.
I had a MK6 Fiesta before, and I ALWAYS could tell what gear I was going into. It was a bit notchy but it had very positive engagement. I love the way the Leon drives, but the shifter is a massive issue for me.
Besides slowing, is there anything I can do to give me my confidence back when banging through the gears? I’ve thought about installing a short shifter, but I’m slightly worried that having the gears closer to each other will only make this issue worse. On the flip side though, maybe if more force is required to go into each gear, it will be a lot easier to feel a mis-shift before I engage the clutch.
Any modifications that a r3tard like me can do to stop myself completely destroying the engine again? Thanks.
If it is, then are there any after market quick shifter options that might offer a more positive shift?
As for yourself. Don't worry too much. s
t happens. If you'd driven off the road into the crash barrier, would you also not want to drive again? Basically I'd say 'get back on the horse! 
Might be worth considering your hand position when shifting. Assuming RHD. If going 3rd to 2nd I'd want to point my thumb down and face my palm towards the passenger/rear passenger window. The natural motion of your hand will then be pushing the lever to the left when you pull your arm backwards.
If going 3rd to 4th I'd want to point my thumb up with my palm facing more towards the drivers door mirror. As your natural arm movement will pull the lever slightly to the right when you move your arm backwards.
Hope you don't give up driving manuals because of this.
fesuvious said:
This is your driving. Or, more likely your level of composure and thought process.
Training will help. Get some tuition.
Sorry about the mistake and consequences.
P s 'banging through the gears' is not how you drive properly, and with pace.
Yeah fair enough, guess I got cocky and picked up some bad habits. Training will help. Get some tuition.
Sorry about the mistake and consequences.
P s 'banging through the gears' is not how you drive properly, and with pace.
joropug said:
I must admit I had a car , I’m trying to remember which, that I would ALWAYS put in 5th instead of 3rd on the up shift if driving enthusiastically.
Difference being , no harm done.
My personal opinion is you need to change your positioning of your arm/wrist as a starter.
You’ve pushed the lever away from you when you were in 3rd gear , pulling downwards. If your arm was in line with the shifter and you’re pulling downwards this shouldn’t be possible.
You also might be being too rough with it , only applying enough pressure to move it as needed. To get max speed on your shifts you’re probably holding it tight and ramming it which is where accidents happen. Slow down and be more sympathetic and it’s almost impossible to make that error.
Yeah this has mad me realise that i’ve gotten away with holding the gear stick directly on-top (like palm wrapped around the top of the shifter) for quite some while. Difference being , no harm done.
My personal opinion is you need to change your positioning of your arm/wrist as a starter.
You’ve pushed the lever away from you when you were in 3rd gear , pulling downwards. If your arm was in line with the shifter and you’re pulling downwards this shouldn’t be possible.
You also might be being too rough with it , only applying enough pressure to move it as needed. To get max speed on your shifts you’re probably holding it tight and ramming it which is where accidents happen. Slow down and be more sympathetic and it’s almost impossible to make that error.
Am definitely going to be paying attention to how I hold the shifter from now on.
I had a similar thing the other day, went into 1st rather than 3rd ( may have even been neutral ). I am new to driving but very rarely make any mistakes when shifting gears.
The only thing I can suggest is lifting the clutch up slowly and if you can feel you are in the wrong gear then immediately put the clutch back down again and shift into the desired gear
Luckily everything seems ok, but it's a lesson learned not to get too far ahead of myself when doing the basics such as shifting gear.
( Yaris MK2 )
The only thing I can suggest is lifting the clutch up slowly and if you can feel you are in the wrong gear then immediately put the clutch back down again and shift into the desired gear
Luckily everything seems ok, but it's a lesson learned not to get too far ahead of myself when doing the basics such as shifting gear.
( Yaris MK2 )
Edited by MakaveliX on Monday 15th November 19:14
I mis-shifted in the exact same scenario as you, top of 3rd gear, in a Honda that screamed to 7800rpm, and went into second. I caught it JUST in time to not cause severe damage, I reckon revs went up to around 9000rpm, which caused (Several months later) severe engine oil burning and blue smoke.
Prior to this I've driven on track a few times, and done over 100,000 miles in driving, lots of those being spirited driving. It can happen so don't beat yourself up, just take it easy. When that little voice in your head tells you to chill out whilst on a drive just listen to it.
Prior to this I've driven on track a few times, and done over 100,000 miles in driving, lots of those being spirited driving. It can happen so don't beat yourself up, just take it easy. When that little voice in your head tells you to chill out whilst on a drive just listen to it.
I have to ask... OP, was it just a case of getting over-excited in the moment? People lose some coordination when chock full of adrenaline. Combine that with a cable shift that has been designed to emphasise ease of use for Mrs Miggins over precision of shift for Mr P Head, and what happens can be expensive.
Don't be hard on yourself I'd suggest just slow down with the gearchange. The coach driver video is a bit extreme, but he's got the right idea - you really shouldn't be applying enough force to a gearshift to need a death grip on the stick. I'm trying to picture how I do a 3-4 shift and i think mine is two fingers in front of the knob, palm hovering above then a sort of "ooh ducky" movement of the wrist to move the knob backwards.
Don't be hard on yourself
I'd suggest just slow down with the gearchange. The coach driver video is a bit extreme, but he's got the right idea - you really shouldn't be applying enough force to a gearshift to need a death grip on the stick. I'm trying to picture how I do a 3-4 shift and i think mine is two fingers in front of the knob, palm hovering above then a sort of "ooh ducky" movement of the wrist to move the knob backwards.FakeCarGuy said:
Yeah this has mad me realise that i’ve gotten away with holding the gear stick directly on-top (like palm wrapped around the top of the shifter) for quite some while.
To be honest, that probably gives the worse possible grip in terms of sensitivity and controllability.300bhp/ton said:
First up, is the linkage and shift mechanism correct and working as intended? Can you compare to a same spec vehicle? If not, then start here...
If it is, then are there any after market quick shifter options that might offer a more positive shift?
As for yourself. Don't worry too much. st happens. If you'd driven off the road into the crash barrier, would you also not want to drive again? Basically I'd say 'get back on the horse!
Might be worth considering your hand position when shifting. Assuming RHD. If going 3rd to 2nd I'd want to point my thumb down and face my palm towards the passenger/rear passenger window. The natural motion of your hand will then be pushing the lever to the left when you pull your arm backwards.
If going 3rd to 4th I'd want to point my thumb up with my palm facing more towards the drivers door mirror. As your natural arm movement will pull the lever slightly to the right when you move your arm backwards.
Hope you don't give up driving manuals because of this.
I definitely need to compare it with another car. The shifts feel fine in day-to-day driving, so maybe it’s just because i’m so used to driving cars with shorter throws and worn out synchros that I picked up the bad habit of applying too much force when shifting. I’d only had this car for a month before I fudged it. If it is, then are there any after market quick shifter options that might offer a more positive shift?
As for yourself. Don't worry too much. s
t happens. If you'd driven off the road into the crash barrier, would you also not want to drive again? Basically I'd say 'get back on the horse! Might be worth considering your hand position when shifting. Assuming RHD. If going 3rd to 2nd I'd want to point my thumb down and face my palm towards the passenger/rear passenger window. The natural motion of your hand will then be pushing the lever to the left when you pull your arm backwards.
If going 3rd to 4th I'd want to point my thumb up with my palm facing more towards the drivers door mirror. As your natural arm movement will pull the lever slightly to the right when you move your arm backwards.
Hope you don't give up driving manuals because of this.
And yes, I definitely need to make sure i’m shifting correctly from now on. Need to stop being a monkey that just grabs the stick and pay attention to the way i’m actually applying pressure to it.
Thanks pal.
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