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Old 05-19-2009, 05:12 AM   #34 (permalink)
MSD
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crazybobmarley View Post
I would recommend avoiding the Automatic Trans section unless you're interested after the first part cause your head may explode in a shower of planetary fragments.
Automatic transmissions are simple, here's how they work.

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatboss View Post
Hmmm I'm confused. All the manual gear boxed cars i've driven can simply be put into and left in neutral. When you turn the engine over, there is no need to then depress the clutch.

Am I missing something else?
It's this thing called a "safety feature" that a lot of people apparently don't know about. Nothing is funnier than seeing someone with a remote starter that disables the clutch-ignition interlock leave the car in gear, press a button on their remote, and watch their car roll through the garage door.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jinn View Post
RE: Downshifting, it's generally advisable for novice to intermediate drivers to fully engage the clutch while slowing to a stop, rather than attempting to downshift through all (or some) of the gears. Because proper downshifting requires rev-matching, it should only really be done in an emergency or once you've mastered it. Even professional drivers heel-toe shifting do not precisely match the revolutions of the flywheel during downshift, and do introduce wear into the transmission. Even though I'm capable, I rarely downshift through the gears UNLESS the conditions merit using transmission breaking or if I intend to accelerate again quickly.
There's no good reason to engine brake. Downshift so you have control of the car, or if you need to accelerate, but don't do it to slow down. Brake pads cost a lot less than a new clutch.

Last edited by MSD; 05-19-2009 at 05:21 AM..
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