Gearchanging -- another approach
Discussion
I don't think rev limiters had been invented when the classic texts were written but I've found a really effective way of getting the most out of an underpowered car (like a corsa or something, especially hire/loan cars) when pulling away is to select first gear and WOT, then let the clutch out fairly sharply but not to much to get a lot of wheelspin, and then to wait until the engine gets right up to the redline before dipping the clutch and quickly selecting second before letting the clutch back out sharply -- all without moving the accelerator.
You do this in each gear only releasing the accelerator when you've reached your desired road speed.
I don't suppose it's the last word in making the car last, but modern materials and all that. But it is really effective at getting the thing up to speed in as short a time as possible.
SM
You do this in each gear only releasing the accelerator when you've reached your desired road speed.
I don't suppose it's the last word in making the car last, but modern materials and all that. But it is really effective at getting the thing up to speed in as short a time as possible.
SM
Much like a typical speed-shifter arrangement on bikes, only you're using the natural rev-limiter to change instead of artificially cutting the ignition when the gearshift lever starts to move. I like it.
What happens when you get a really crap hire car with no limiter? Change when you see the whites of the valves?
What happens when you get a really crap hire car with no limiter? Change when you see the whites of the valves?
GreenV8S said:
Works particularly well on rented turbo diesels, or so I'm told.
Not sure about diesels but their power characterists might not suit the method that well. Also the advantage of maintaining a fully open throttle in a petrol is that the flow of air isn't interrupted by the momentarily closed butterfly which doesn't apply to a diesel.SM
What SM describes sounds like the technique that road testers were said to use when evaluating cars for the likes of "The Motor" and "Autocar" magazines many years ago. Apparently they used it when doing the standing start acceleration tests to get the fastest times, and I was told it was what's known as a 'full throttle snatch gearchange'.
It sounds to me a very brutal method and not one that I would use with any car. IMHO road test figures obtained on that basis are a bit of a fiddle, and not representative of what any normal owner may achieve.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
It sounds to me a very brutal method and not one that I would use with any car. IMHO road test figures obtained on that basis are a bit of a fiddle, and not representative of what any normal owner may achieve.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
I made a device a few years ago that incorporated a shift light and rev limiter. If the revs were above a certain threshold and the clutch was released it brought in a secondary rev limit at a lower rpm. The idea was that it enabled full throttle gear shifts to be made without smoking the clutch. The threshold was chosen so that it was still possible to blip the throttle on down shifts. It did seem to work, but I never trusted it well enough to rely on it in anger, I always found myself coming off the throttle 'just in case'. So that was a bit of a waste of time really!
supermono said:
I don't think rev limiters had been invented when the classic texts were written but I've found a really effective way of getting the most out of an underpowered car (like a corsa or something, especially hire/loan cars) when pulling away is to select first gear and WOT, then let the clutch out fairly sharply but not to much to get a lot of wheelspin, and then to wait until the engine gets right up to the redline before dipping the clutch and quickly selecting second before letting the clutch back out sharply -- all without moving the accelerator.
You do this in each gear only releasing the accelerator when you've reached your desired road speed.
I don't suppose it's the last word in making the car last, but modern materials and all that. But it is really effective at getting the thing up to speed in as short a time as possible.
SM
Your local garage must love you...You do this in each gear only releasing the accelerator when you've reached your desired road speed.
I don't suppose it's the last word in making the car last, but modern materials and all that. But it is really effective at getting the thing up to speed in as short a time as possible.
SM
Santa Claws said:
Your local garage must love you...
Not really -- I've never broken or worn anything out (zero worn out clutches for instance) in 20 years of driving apart from the clutch in my last 911 turbo which broke when <1/2 worn, but I certainly don't drive anything with a performance bias as described. That clutch was paid for by Porsche because they determined it was a manufacturing defect.I've done a lot of bike racing too and have never had to spend anything more than routine maintenance and crash damage.
Although it sounds harsh, I don't think driving a low powered car in that fashion does much in the way of accelerated wear TBH, as long as it's properly maintained with fresh oil and is warmed up first. The rev limiter is set at a nice safe level.
SM
7db said:
Is someone did that in my car they'd be walking home. Probably looking for bits of the gearbox as they went.
Why? Do you have a TVR?eta. Seriously I drove some corsa like this routinely for a few days and it was fine.
eta, Ahh just saw your car on the profile. Probably wouldn't harm it, but like I said, not for a car with a performance bias.
SM
Edited by supermono on Monday 3rd September 10:51
Edited by supermono on Monday 3rd September 10:53
supermono said:
I don't think rev limiters had been invented when the classic texts were written but I've found a really effective way of getting the most out of an underpowered car (like a corsa or something, especially hire/loan cars) when pulling away is to select first gear and WOT, then let the clutch out fairly sharply but not to much to get a lot of wheelspin, and then to wait until the engine gets right up to the redline before dipping the clutch and quickly selecting second before letting the clutch back out sharply -- all without moving the accelerator.
You do this in each gear only releasing the accelerator when you've reached your desired road speed.
I don't suppose it's the last word in making the car last, but modern materials and all that. But it is really effective at getting the thing up to speed in as short a time as possible.
SM
Don't quite understand, is there a video available?.You do this in each gear only releasing the accelerator when you've reached your desired road speed.
I don't suppose it's the last word in making the car last, but modern materials and all that. But it is really effective at getting the thing up to speed in as short a time as possible.
SM
I drive like this in my Avis Megane all the time. Its got 40k on the clock now, and has not broken yet. In a few months time it will be someone elses problem.
I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
BIG DUNC said:
I drive like this in my Avis Megane all the time. Its got 40k on the clock now, and has not broken yet. In a few months time it will be someone elses problem.
I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
Why would anyone openly admit that they drive like an idiot on the internet, let alone an advanced driving forum!I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
Schnell said:
BIG DUNC said:
I drive like this in my Avis Megane all the time. Its got 40k on the clock now, and has not broken yet. In a few months time it will be someone elses problem.
I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
Why would anyone openly admit that they drive like an idiot on the internet, let alone an advanced driving forum!I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
SM
supermono said:
Schnell said:
BIG DUNC said:
I drive like this in my Avis Megane all the time. Its got 40k on the clock now, and has not broken yet. In a few months time it will be someone elses problem.
I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
Why would anyone openly admit that they drive like an idiot on the internet, let alone an advanced driving forum!I would not dream of giving any car I own this kind of abuse.
If anyone from Avis is reading, I do look after it really. The fact that the tyres & brakes are completely shot is just an unlucky co-incidence.......
SM
Anyway, isn't that what the P&P is for?
Sorry Schnell, I'll get my coat.
As SM suggests, it is an effective way of getting a small underpowered car up to speed quickly. Well, it is in the dry. Mostly, its wet over here ( I'm not in the UK at the moment, ) and then smoothness is the key ( must be something to do with advanced driving ). Not that I drive quickly in the wet anyway.
As SM suggests, it is an effective way of getting a small underpowered car up to speed quickly. Well, it is in the dry. Mostly, its wet over here ( I'm not in the UK at the moment, ) and then smoothness is the key ( must be something to do with advanced driving ). Not that I drive quickly in the wet anyway.
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