Traffic, downshifting and temp question

[johnnyboy5]

Ive been driving in traffic and i heard someone say that the correct way to downshift is to double clutch (i dont really know what that is that much) or rev it to the rpm in the gear u will downshift. NEway, ive wondering about this because my cars tempature keeps getting way hot, and i dont even stress the engine, so could it be the my shifting sucks, or could it be the fan? Once the car gets to the limit it cools off like nothing right away. Anybody know what could be going on? And is there a correct way to downshift?

[vsiev]

you should come by maybe i can help ya out with. Have you ever changed the radiator fluids and stuff like that?

[J SPEC SilEighty]

whoever told you to "double clutch" for downshifting deserves to be trampled by a herd of elephants. Seriously, that person is an idiot. Flush your cooling system.

[johnnyboy5]

yeah, i flushed out the radiator and put new fluid in there and even the reservoir is full.

[J SPEC SilEighty]

make sure your fan is working properly also then. run it at normal temperature for awhile and then pull over and pop the hood. make sure the fan is on. check the thermostat as well.

[johnnyboy5]

ok then
now what about downshifting, is there really a correct way to downshift or not?

[whttrshpunk]

There are different ways to downshift depending on what driving situation you're in. For regular driving in traffic I would just stay in whatever gear you happen to be in until RPM's reach about 1800-1500 then just clutch and put it in neutral. Use your brakes to slow down, seeing as how brake pads are easier to replace that a clutch. If you're on the brakes coming to a corner while on the track, you keep your toe on the brake pedal while using the heel or side of your foot to tap the gas pedal. This is called heel-toe downshifting and is meant to accomplish something most people call "rev matching". Try driving in your car in third gear at about 30mph then push in the clutch and put it in second. Take your foot off of the gas pedal and once your RPM's reach idle let off of the clutch and you'll notice a sort of dragging which will tend to make you lean forward. When you rev match you are using throttle while the clutch is in to get the engine RPM's to the same number (say 3500 rpms) while clutched as they will be when you release the clutch. This will get rid of the dragging feeling you experienced in my third gear 30mph example. Sorry if this doesn't make sense I'm on lunch break so I'm in a hurry, plus I'm watching Law&Order at the same time. Anyhow, hope that helps.

[KenOhki2112]

Originally Posted by johnnyboy5

ok then
now what about downshifting, is there really a correct way to downshift or not?

Depress the clutch pedal, move the shifter, Release the clutch.

For a smoother down shift, raise the tach up about 20% while coasting so that the engine's speed is matched.

Do not downshift in traffic in an emergancy breaking manuver unless your breaks are not responding. If your breaks are not responding Then take to the shoulder,E-brake, downshift and if need be drive into some bushes.

[stealthj]

if ur talking regular driving, please dont downshift,

brake pads are much cheaper than trannies

[johnnyboy5]

thank u for the information, its because on my way to school there is a lot of stop and go traffic so i try to leave it in one gear when im driving but the traffic slows down and when it goes my car goes very slow and other people cut me off. I guess ill just be patient instead of wasting the clutch.

By the way i think theres a leak i my radiator or a hose because theres a leak of antifreeze and even the reservoir which was full is now empty. Today was scary, the temp went all the way to the max and then it went down to half quickly. Im not driving my car anymore til i find out and fix the problem.

[vsiev]

well you found out why your car over heats lol

[logik23]

If you ruin ur tranny by downshifting then you rly suck, my dad practically never used the brakes on his 86 Prelude, to slow down he always downshifted in to second then when he was going rly slow hed use the brakes. His original clutch lasted 350,000 kilometers un til he sold the car.

[stealthj]

ok then we suck

whoever was asking about it, go ahrad and dont use ur brakes, they are not made for braking, u supposed to use your tranny, it wont go out on u dont worry

[logik23]

Ya, that's it, answer like a fucking four year old. All I'm saying is that you don't need to use your brakes at every stop sign or every red light, if you have some room to downshift and use the decompression to slow down then do it. It won't ruin your clutch and your brakes will last longer.

[stealthj]

Originally Posted by logik23

Ya, that's it, answer like a fucking four year old. All I'm saying is that you don't need to use your brakes at every stop sign or every red light, if you have some room to downshift and use the decompression to slow down then do it. It won't ruin your clutch and your brakes will last longer.

oh shit all of a sudden u went to class from your previous post, got some aprostophes and shit up in there.

and i never disagreed with u. i agreed, it wont ruin nothing, tranny and clutch will be fine.

did evryone clearly hear? If i ruin my tranny by downshifting, I SUCK, this 16yr olds fathers shit lasted forever, so should mine right? or else i SUCK!