[EricBSnow]

Ordered my MCS on 03/22/05 and expect delivery mid-May. This will be my first manual transmission vehicle and I'm wondering what the best way to slow down in traffic is. As I live in a high traffic city with a lot of idiot drivers (go Indianapolis!), there are a lot of slowdowns on the interstate. The question is whether to downshift or pop it into neutral and brake. Any recommendations on how to keep my MCS going for as long as possible?

Thanks,

Eric B. Snow

[Dutchy]

Quote: Originally Posted by EricBSnow

Ordered my MCS on 03/22/05 and expect delivery mid-May. This will be my first manual transmission vehicle and I'm wondering what the best way to slow down in traffic is. As I live in a high traffic city with a lot of idiot drivers (go Indianapolis!), there are a lot of slowdowns on the interstate. The question is whether to downshift or pop it into neutral and brake. Any recommendations on how to keep my MCS going for as long as possible?

Thanks,

Eric B. Snow

I would strongly recommend that you keep it in gear (with a down change if needed) until you come to almost a complete stop and then push the clutch in just prior to stalling (about 1000rpms). If needed then use the hand brake / e brake when completely stopped.
Cruising in nuetral will leave you with no sudden acceleration if needed to avoid one of those idiots around you. Not only this, it also increases your braking ability from higher speeds.

I don't think using your gears to slow you down will shorten the life of your MCS.

Cheers

Dutchy.

[4wheeldrift]

Quote: Originally Posted by EricBSnow

Ordered my MCS on 03/22/05 and expect delivery mid-May. This will be my first manual transmission vehicle and I'm wondering what the best way to slow down in traffic is. As I live in a high traffic city with a lot of idiot drivers (go Indianapolis!), there are a lot of slowdowns on the interstate. The question is whether to downshift or pop it into neutral and brake. Any recommendations on how to keep my MCS going for as long as possible?

Thanks,

Eric B. Snow

Downshifting was popularized in an era when the wheel brakes could not provide the amount of desired decelleration by themselves. The braking effect provided by the engine could supplement that provided by the brakes. Without the additional decelerative influence of engine braking one would use up their wheel brakes over the course of a competition. When the work of decelerating was shared by the engine and wheel brakes one could extend the life of the wheel brakes during a competition. Unfortunately, downshifting to create engine braking creates additional stress on the engine and increases the exposure to engine failure from missed shift overrevving.

Downshifting for engine braking is no longer necessary as the power of a modern four wheel disc brake system is adequate by itself to provide the desired decelleration.
For the most part, I don't think contemporary race practice employs downshift for engine braking any longer. If they do downshift it is done for speed matching.

Save your engine and use your excellent brakes.

[kapps]

Yea, keep it in gear when decelerating so the engine can help the brakes slow the car down. I'd prefer pushing the clutch in closer to 1500 rpm (I also heel-toe downshift but your not ready...yet). Since this is your 1st manual tranny, this is how you should drive to start. Once you get the clutch in, use the brakes to continue to slow down. If your still moving and have to start accelerating again, try and stay on the brakes until you get it into gear. Downshifting without being on the brakes or double clutching wears the syncros in your transmission. Double clutching (or at least rev matching) is something you will learn to do once you get the hang of it. Rev matching is basically knowing what rpm you'll be at in the lower gear and bliping the throttle while in neutral to match those revs before you downshift. You'll notice there isn't a jerk when you rev match. I won't go into the double clutching or heel-toe downshifting right now because you have enough new things to get used to. Once you are comfortable with driving a manual, do a search on this site or on Google on the topics I just mentioned if you want to really learn how to motor.

Take your time and find a good piece of road to practice on. I will be the 1st to tell you that the MINI is not the easiest manual transmission car to drive. Once you get the hang of it, you won't want to go back to an auto-box again.

[Dutchy]

Quote: Originally Posted by 4wheeldrift

Downshifting was popularized in an era when the wheel brakes could not provide the amount of desired decelleration by themselves. The braking effect provided by the engine could supplement that provided by the brakes. Without the additional decelerative influence of engine braking one would use up their wheel brakes over the course of a competition. When the work of decelerating was shared by the engine and wheel brakes one could extend the life of the wheel brakes during a competition. Unfortunately, downshifting to create engine braking creates additional stress on the engine and increases the exposure to engine failure from missed shift overrevving.

Downshifting for engine braking is no longer necessary as the power of a modern four wheel disc brake system is adequate by itself to provide the desired decelleration.
For the most part, I don't think contemporary race practice employs downshift for engine braking any longer. If they do downshift it is done for speed matching.

Save your engine and use your excellent brakes.

I'm not too sure where we went from a MINI on a road to modern racing cars? I did notice though that in the latest formula one race, Michael Schumacher failed to take a corner because of a hydraulic failure, which caused the gear box not to change down gears. The commentator (I can't remember his name) then went on to say how important it was for a Formula one car to use it's gears and engine braking to slow the cars down.
There is an over-riding safety factor here which should have precedence over whether or not your brakes or gearbox are going to be adversely affected.

Dutchy.

[Babes]

brakes wash off too much speed and should only be used in emergency, use the gears and you will have a true MINI experience

Seriously though a combination of both brakes and gears is your best bet, using brakes only will prematurely wear them, alot of times you will find a downshift is all you need for cornering etc...plus it will keep your revs up in the fun zone.

[pocketrocketowner]

Brake first, then downshift, then accelerate is the sequence cool race car guys use in their sport. As with everything in life, moderation is best. Using your engine as the only means of slowing down is a big no-no. Letting your engine act as a brake, say on a slippery downslope, without the use of the throttle is more than ok, it is very safe.
Hope this helps.

[hyprblu]

Several things you miss by not using downshift.......one is additional braking from the engine.........two is saving in fuel consumption....the mini is designed to use zero fuel when the engine is being "pushed"...check your fuel computer and you will see you use zero when using engine braking but fuel if you are in neutral.......and number 3 is probably the best reason of all.....you miss the poppimg from the exhaust!!!

[le_knut]

on slippery roads, don't downshift to brake, it can cause your car to skid (because it's nearly impossible to do it perfectly smooth). And I fully agree with my previous poster, don't use the neutral. I guess it's pretty much up to the situation, for sudden stopps, use the brakes, if you need to slow down and have plenty of space, you can downshift.
Once you are accustomed to your manual transmission, learn to double shift (clutch). Your clutch will appreciate it, and it's fun

[EricBSnow]

Thanks for all the great replies! I have a lot to learn and can't wait until mid-May!

Eric B. Snow

[RenaultF1]

EricBSnow...in the North East we get a radio show on public radio by a couple of guys called Click & Clack. When my MCS was on order, I heard a segment by them where some lady called in asking how to shift her MCS. Anyway, after they got thru all that they went on to say that on the MCS the clutch assembly is quite expensive and the brakes are less so, so they would actually recommend using the breaks over downshifting to slow down for this particular car.

So if you want to base it entirely on cost, I'd go with that. Otherwise, for myself, I've always used a combo like the boys above have said. Also, I agree with no neutral (for lack of control...to do a quick getaway if needed), and braking in the snow versus downshifting.

[rs_1101]

Quote: Originally Posted by EricBSnow

The question is whether to downshift or pop it into neutral and brake. :

why not do both? .. actually that makes me think.. does anyone else have trouble heel-toeing in their mini or is it just me?

[Idontbrakeforcorners]

1) downshift, but keep revs low to save fuel

2) your not the only one with problems. i got me some size 13 feet and i do fine just driving, but when i try ti heel toe, i have to take my shoes off. whenever i am driving spiritdly, the shoes are gone. Lol, after typing this i realized that i ned some racin' shoes.
what size are ur feet and seriously, it takes a lot of practice to be ood at it.

[Dutchy]

Quote: Originally Posted by rs_1101

why not do both? .. actually that makes me think.. does anyone else have trouble heel-toeing in their mini or is it just me?

Heel-toeing is a pain in the MINI.
What do you mean about do both? Are you referring to braking and changing down at the same time? That is what I was referring to at the beginning.

Dutchy.

[kapps]

I don't have any trouble heel-toeing my MCS. It took a while to get used to it but it really helps when taking a corner.