[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by 260 GTT (original)

The "system" of driving (used by police drivers) states that you should leave the car in the gear you last used for acceleration, changing it only when you need to accelerate again. No need to change down gears as you slow down, just engage the next gear for drive as an when you need it. So if you are in 5th and doing 70mph, then arrive at a junction at 10mph there is no need to go 4th,3rd, 2nd... just brake to slow the car down, leaving it in 5th gear, then select 2nd as soon as you are required to accelerate again.

But not accurate for normal driving....coming to an almost stop at a red light maybe but for general driving along rural roads with roundabouts its a different training e.g. being in the right gear to react to anything that might happen ahead. Maybe not counting down the gears but certainly using the engine to a big degree to slow down and being ready to react.

I think maybe the question of who uses engine braking needs to be defined more cause every seems to have a different opinion on what engine backing is. I class it as soon as you lift off you're engine back because you are and since the engine pretty much shutsdown to save fuel even if you leave it in gear till its almost stall time you still aided your brakes by engine braking all that time.

Maybe the question should be do you change down 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd...... cause I know I dont. I pretty much skip gears so im in the right gear for the speed im doing and where I need to be going. If I need to stop its no count down unless im in 6th then I might jump to 3rd half way down a slip road in hope the lights might change.

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by hyperbluejames (original)

Well I was always taught to only change gear when required, ie. to change to the appropriate gear to accelerate with at the speed you are going, exactlt as GTT has said. I have picked up engine breaking on my own...but I find that the car lurches when I do so. I'm quite gentle with the clutch, but the revs jump to such different levels that when I lift the clutch back up to engage gear, it lurches. Anyone know how to fix that? I think the Hell Toe method is a solution, but I've also tried blipping the throttle to match revs and this does seem to work too. Any better ideas??

Thanks!

James

Its the only way really is to heel and toe if you want it smooth. The lurch is bad for the gearbox and if you do it slowly then you're using your clutch to brake the car instead of using the engine to nicely loose some speed. I only practiced heel and toe cause last thing you need when coming into a corner in the rain on a track is a sudden weight shift especially when you're trail braking anyway. Does make driving on the road smoother too once you practice a bit.

[Jamesr022]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini-Morgan (original)

I use engine braking as basically that is everytime you lift off you are engine braking. I heal and toe it to blip the throttle so that the downshift is almost perfectly smooth and doesnt put much strain on the gearbox and clutch.

Generally I use the brakes as little as possible as thats what I was taught by a police trainer I spent a day with. Very interesting day and he was right in everything he said. Having to brake means you were unprepared for what might be ahead but ofcourse before someone says but what about the x or the y, yes you do need to brake if someone suddenly brakes or if you need to stop quickly or to a stop.

Just remember slow in fast out

And ABS is only there to give you control under braking its not there to stop you quicker. Thats called EBD but still you can only stop as fast as the traction you have on the road. ABS as it pulses in slippery conditions actually increases braking distance then what your car could possible stop at but you would have far better control however its still better to brake not at your best instead of being locked up.

I would agree with the above, most people would be aware of the traffic situation and generally match there speed to the conditions, therefore using the brakes less. this is what the police are taught, amongst other things, only use the brakes when u need to which is to stop most of the time, and also brake gear over lap is a big no 99% of the time. Most police officers are taught for 3 to 5 weeks for there driving.

I was always told that using the brakes more will also descrease the cars fuel consumption as well!

[silverandblack]

As the saying goes. Gears to GO, Brakes to SLOW.

[caesar]

If I'm cruising at 70 mph in 6th along say a dual-carriageway, and there's a roundabout ahead, then I will lift off the throttle and change to 5th...... will then progressively go through the gears without using the brakes until I reach it......then select the most appropriate gear to accelerate round it and carry on. This is theoretical and assumes there is no other traffic, in practise it would vary depending on other vehicles in the vicinity.

[frd]

What i see in turbocharged cars (damn diesels! ) is that, when you downshift to engine brake, the turbo gives a big boost and you really can't control the car. It's very uncomfortable.

In my NA cars i usually downshift to brake faster, on those fast approaches, downshift + brake pedal. When i'm driving the turbo i usually tend to use a lot more of the brake pedal.

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by frd (original)

What i see in turbocharged cars (damn diesels! ) is that, when you downshift to engine brake, the turbo gives a big boost and you really can't control the car. It's very uncomfortable.

In my NA cars i usually downshift to brake faster, on those fast approaches, downshift + brake pedal. When i'm driving the turbo i usually tend to use a lot more of the brake pedal.

Interesting post, I have a Honda Civic Type-R which is NA.......have never owned an asperated car so cannot comment on what you say. Perhaps you could explain further.

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by frd (original)

What i see in turbocharged cars (damn diesels! ) is that, when you downshift to engine brake, the turbo gives a big boost and you really can't control the car. It's very uncomfortable.

In my NA cars i usually downshift to brake faster, on those fast approaches, downshift + brake pedal. When i'm driving the turbo i usually tend to use a lot more of the brake pedal.

I have to say I found it easier to engine brake on my diesel work car as the higher compression of the engine makes it slow down much faster than my S. Never had the turbo problem as its so laggy anyway. But hey it doesnt use much fuel and gets me from a-b for work when I need it.

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by silverandblack (original)

As the saying goes. Gears to GO, Brakes to SLOW.

The end.

Cheers,
K.

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

If I'm cruising at 70 mph in 6th along say a dual-carriageway, and there's a roundabout ahead, then I will lift off the throttle and change to 5th...... will then progressively go through the gears without using the brakes until I reach it......then select the most appropriate gear to accelerate round it and carry on. This is theoretical and assumes there is no other traffic, in practise it would vary depending on other vehicles in the vicinity.

I'd drive at the roundabout at 70mph.
when about 5m away i would brake and slip into 3rd and batter it round at about 50mph.

Other traffic would just be an added challenge.



Cheers,
K.

[caesar]

Quote: Originally Posted by 260 GTT (original)

I'd drive at the roundabout at 70mph.
when about 5m away i would brake and slip into 3rd and batter it round at about 50mph.

Other traffic would just be an added challenge.



Cheers,
K.

Excellent method

[GTT 280]

these help...



Cheers,
K.

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by 260 GTT (original)

these help...



Cheers,
K.

Nice!

[Fin]

Soon enough our cars will be moving by using anti-gravity powered through the use of zero-point energy. We won't need engine braking or brakes. Or wheels. Or petrol for that matter.