Upshifting with Manual Transmission: Which theory is correct?

[dirtyfingers]

I've heard two theories, which one is correct?

Theory #1

1. Lift foot off gas
2. Push clutch in
3. Shift to next gear
4. Lift foot off clutch
5. Push foot on gas

OR

Theory #2

1. Push clutch in at same rate as lifting off gas
2. When foot is completely off gas, shift to next gear
3. Now do the opposite step 1: Lift clutch pedal off at the same rate as pushing down gas.


When it comes to numerous Youtube videos/Wikis I've seen both theories explained. I think theory #2 may allow for smoother shifts but theory #1 sounds like it would be easier on the clutch. No matter how gentle you are, in theory #2 it sounds like you would burn up your clutch.

Of course you would need to do theory #2 when getting into first gear obviously.

[Mr Miyagi]

1st option

[03GTI4Me]

1st option

It would seem to me that beginners start out on the 1st option with the goal of becoming more experienced and getting to the second option.

[Mr Miyagi]

It would seem to me that beginners start out on the 1st option with the goal of becoming more experienced and getting to the second option.

Racecar

[MylesPH1]

My style, after roughly 30 or so years of driving, most closely resembles option 2. That puts far less stress on the clutch, what with the whole rev matching thing.

If you separate every action into steps taken one after the other, instead of together, that wouldn't be a very smooth ride.

[worth_fixing]

It would seem to me that beginners start out on the 1st option with the goal of becoming more experienced and getting to the second option.

Agreed. Mind you, it's never really a full "at the same time", but more like an integration of #2 into #1 to make #1 smoother.

....if that makes any sense.


....which it probably doesn't.


....I'll go back to my beer.


....s.

[Klim18]

Yea you are over thinking this, just do what you always do.

[C4 A6]

When track driving I do a combo of the two. I lift off the gas, clutch, shift, then as im easing off the clutch I give it gas so when the gear catches it's just a smooth transition.

On the street I do #1 though. No need to do anything more.

[vdub07]

It would seem to me that beginners start out on the 1st option with the goal of becoming more experienced and getting to the second option.

x2

Once you know how to drive you will end up doing #2.

[IdontOwnAVW]

When I was racing my GTO a few years ago I just ended up not even letting off the gas, kept the revs up there and when the clutch was in, I shifted quick enough for it to maybe have a 100rpm increase?

Otherwise I always find option #2 to be smoother depending on the vehicle.

[TJSwoboda]

You are over-thinking this. You should do whatever is smoothest. For me, it's closest to #2.

It would seem to me that beginners start out on the 1st option with the goal of becoming more experienced and getting to the second option.

Both of the above.

[WhitePoloCT]

You are over-thinking this. You should do whatever is smoothest. For me, it's closest to #2.

[vwpiloto]

You are over-thinking this. You should do whatever is smoothest. For me, it's closest to #2.

x2.

[71DubBugBug]

You are over-thinking this. You should do whatever is smoothest. For me, it's closest to #2.

x2

letting off the gas, first, and then onto the clutch pedal will make it jerky. you do it together, it also depends on where your clutch engages and disengages

[rbloedow]

I always try to modulate both my clutch and accelerator at the same time.

Method one would be something I would expect a novice to drive like: very stiff, slow and jerky.

[TwoLitreVW]

both are wrong.

just hit the "+" for upshift and "-" for downshift.



/DSGflappypaddlecrew

[Mr Miyagi]

both are wrong.

just hit the "+" for upshift and "-" for downshift.



/DSGflappypaddlecrew

Just put it in drive.

[N3M51R]

Method #1.5 would be correct.

[TetsuoShima]

Just put it in drive.

Just put it in H

[toucci]

Try #1 in a Viper and the engine braking will hurt your neck between steps 1 and 2.

[ToucheTurtle]

Try #1 in a Viper and the engine braking will hurt your neck between steps 1 and 2.

Try it in a 1992 Acura Integra with a bad IAC valve and its even worse.

[Pf3il]

lift & shift, no clutch.

via RQ1:

[turbinepowered]

140k using method #2 in a Mitsubishi, still not worn out. You're overthinking this, OP. Go with the smooth option.

[McBanagon]

I"m sorry but #1 sounds a lot like asking me if I walk like this.

1. Lift left foot off ground.
2. Bend left knee.
3. Move left leg out in front of you.
4. Lean forward allowing left foot to touch ground.
5. Move weight to left leg.
6. Straighten left leg.
7. Lift right foot and repeat

[Vr6CoRRadO420]

who needs to push in the clutch to take it out of gear?
thats an unneeded step...

[jonpwn]

yesterday i drove my 78 year old aunt and 79 year old uncle in law in my dad's manual camry. I realized option 1 will give you a very smooth shift, especially from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to third.

in my car, i'll do option 2 occasionally if i'm feeling happy on the gas.

[USMC_Artmayer]

1. gas to floor
2. without lifting right foot stomp clutch
3. bang gear
4. release clutch
power shift it son

[Activ8]

1. gas to floor
2. without lifting right foot stomp clutch
3. bang gear
4. release clutch
power shift it son

Impossible on a Carrera GT .... it's a bit counter-intuitive, but you've got to slam the clutch and lift off as fast as possible instead of slowly and no gas until full engagement felt, then slam the power pedal to the floor .....

[dopaz]

1. gas to floor
2. without lifting right foot stomp clutch
3. bang gear
4. release clutch
power shift it son

So much fun! I wonder what my second gear synchro looks like though...

[B3sat16v]

It is situational dependent.

Sometimes I do not use the clutch other than first gear.

[Live-Wire]

Whatever is the smoothest and causes least amount of slip on the clutch (comes hand in hand with smoothness... so it's a win win) is the best. Ideally you need to use the throttle to match engine rpm with new road speed. Using a bit of throttle is not going to burn up the clutch - but having a massive difference in engine to road speed will (in either direction... over revving, or under revving).

It's best when the shifts are almost imperceptible, and the rpm looks correct; it should fall towards where it needs to be in the next gear, then you will 'catch' it by applying just enough throttle to prevent it dropping furthur. Of course you can only apply sufficient throttle to really accelerate the car when the clutch pedal has been released.

Operating any machinery the key to longevity is smoothness, smoothness, smoothness.

[compy222]

1 if the box is cold. 2 normally or driving hard.

[WeeTallDidTiming]

let off gas.
load is taken off gears
slips easily out of gear and while in between gears
push in clutch
select next gear
let out clutch
hit gas.

i find myself doing this fairly often even though im sure its not very good for syncros.

but it seems like i have very little to no shift shock at all doing this.

anyone know if this method is bad for the gearbox or not??

ps.
i do this only while driving normally with low2500-3000rpm shifts.

[The Holy Molar]

In the Rabbit (rev hang, terribly spongey mounts) option 1 is the smoothest.
In the CRX option 2 is the smoothest.

[Aonarch]

2