Blipping the throttle

[Dunclane]

I blip my diesel company car on downchanges, my boss asked me why I did and he reckoned the clutch would wear out quicker. Surely it wouldn't be the case would it?

[Xenocide]

No, the clutch is disengaged. It helps the clutch if you rev match on down shift because the clutch (and motion of the car through the gearbox) doesn't have to drag the revs of the engine to match it.

[Bungleaio]

I would have thought it would increase the life as the two should be spinning at roughly the same rate rather than a completely different speed so the amount of slip would be reduced.

However that said I would think it would take many hundreds of thousands of gear changes under laboratory conditions to actually see any difference.

[Dunclane]

Bungleaio said:

I would have thought it would increase the life as the two should be spinning at roughly the same rate rather than a completely different speed so the amount of slip would be reduced.

However that said I would think it would take many hundreds of thousands of gear changes under laboratory conditions to actually see any difference.

My thoughts exactly plus it's a smoother transition he drives an automatic so he's only jealous lol

[robsco]

I love blipping the throttle on downshifts, its a fabulously satisfying experience.

[BonzoG]

I try to do it in whatever I'm driving, but I'm not particularly good at it. It just feels so horribly unsympathetic dragging the engine back up to speed using the clutch - like I'm hurting the car.

The new shape Sprinter diesels have an oddly good pedal layout for heel-toeing...

[vit4]

I try to rev match on the downchanges if that's what you mean?

Was under the impression it lengthens the length of the clutch. Mine's seen better days and I can't afford a new one at the moment, so anything that prolongs its life is a bonus

Makes much smoother driving anyway.

[wackojacko]

robsco said:

I love blipping the throttle on downshifts, its a fabulously satisfying experience.

Heel and Toe is fantastic fun, slightly different with a diesel though as a blip is more of a 1 second foot on the floor to get the revs to rise

[jsg612]

I always have done this in both my car and van. Takes a little longer to build up in the van admittedly, but it's much smoother than letting the clutch take the strain.

[LukeBird]

robsco said:

I love blipping the throttle on downshifts, its a fabulously satisfying experience.

Absolutely.

I find I do it all the time...

[m444ttb]

I always do this. Makes the drive to work mildly more interesting.

[mnkiboy]

I tend to do this if there's a big change in revs. Smoothens the down change.

Now, can anyone work out the cost of extra clutch life v's fuel spent blipping the throttle!?

[daveenty]

Drive an auto box now, but every time I use a manual (usually hire cars) I do this.

I also double de-clutch quite often as well, though that's just a personal preference.

[coanda]

Rev-matched gear changes are now habit for me.

[sebhaque]

I always rev-match my downshifts, although in the VX it's a lot harder to heel-and-toe because you need to be firmly on the brakes to get a decent angle to blip the accelerator. In the BMW, it's a piece of piss and I heel-and-toe all the time.

Plus, if I'm downshifting in the VX, it's usually either accompanied by ridiculously nice backfire or a squirt on the throttle

[wackojacko]

sebhaque said:

accompanied by ridiculously nice backfire or a squirt on the throttle

still havn't heard it in a hhhhherrmmmm TUNNEL .......

[bicycleshorts]

Are people on this thread blipping with the clutch still in? Or double de-clutching + blipping. I've always wondered the difference (if any).

[Garlick]

m444ttb said:

I always do this. Makes the drive to work mildly more interesting.

I can relate to this

[wackojacko]

Garlick said:

m444ttb said:

I always do this. Makes the drive to work mildly more interesting.

I can relate to this

I also have to concur ....it certainly does make the morning dreg a little more fun.

[sebhaque]

wackojacko said:

still havn't heard it in a hhhhherrmmmm TUNNEL .......

It's very loud buddy! I'm debating bringing it on the next one although it really needs some work done (TR + nearly worn brakes doesn't sound enticing) - I'm keeping an eye on the thread though, now that the snow and ice is gone the VX is out and about a lot more!