Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Double-declutching, heel-and-toe braking

miked10270 · 08-22-2003, 09:45 AM

Hey Sledge,

Double De-clutching, Clutchless Gearchange are NOT things to learn on a PC. Get somebody WHO CAN DO THESE THINGS to SHOW YOU.

"Heel & Toe" is a technique to allow double de-clutch downshifts while braking. It actually involvesbraking with the big toe side of your foot while manipulating the accellerator with the little toe side of your foot. It's VERY difficult (read IMPOSSIBLE) to do properly & effectively in a standard car unless you either have clown feet or have moved your accelerator pedal dangerously close to the brake pedal. There ARE ways to do this, but believe me you don't want to. It was a technique used in motor racing in days before hydraulic braking but it has ZERO relevance in modern road driving.

Incidentally (& speaking as a Class 1 police driver) each of the preceding posts was inaccurate in some way, with some of the advice proferred being outright dangerous.

Firstly, there is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED to downshift while braking. There used to be, back in the days when brakes were mechanical (not hydraulic) and the performance of the brakes was pi$$ poor. Then downshifts were used to allow engine drag to help the braking process.

The correct & SAFE way to slow down is to apply the brake pedal while keeping BOTH hands on the wheel. Slow to the desired speed and THEN change gear to match that speed (double declutch if you want - but in modern synchromesh gearboxes there's no need).

The BIG thing is: Once in the selected gear squeeze the accelerator as you smoothly release the clutch to match engine speed to road speed in your selected gear. THAT IS HOW YOU AVOID TRANSMISSION JERKS AS YOU RELEASE THE CLUTCH.

Secondly, YOU DO NOT BRAKE AND STEER SIMULTANEOUSLY!!! Unless you have ABS brakes (which will automatically reduce the brake effect) you're heading for a skid and a short trip into the scenery. your cars tyres have a limited amount of grip allowing you to brake OR steer violently, but not both at the same time.

Finally, there is a standard drill for dealing with ALL road hazards (i.e ANYTHING other than a completely flat, perfectly straight road) It's:

A) COURSE - Approaching the hazard determine your course through the hazard and plan your vehicles position on the road at each stage.

B) MIRROR - What's happening behind you, is it safe to move across the road to follow your course.

C) SIGNAL - Indicate your intentions using direction indicators or hand signals as appropriate.

D) BRAKES - Adjust to a suitable speed to negotiate the hazard

E) GEARS - Having finished adjusting your speed, shift gears to one suitable for for your new road speed

That's all done BEFORE you get to the hazard.
Once the hazard's been negotiated (steered through) then:

G) MIRROR - Yes. Again. As a final check that it's safe before you

H) ACCELERATE - adjust your speed to match the current road conditions.

The mnemonic is "Can My Safety Be Given Madly Away".

Mike.

08-22-2003, 09:45 AM	#18 (permalink)
miked10270 Banned Location: Scotland	Hey Sledge, Double De-clutching, Clutchless Gearchange are NOT things to learn on a PC. Get somebody WHO CAN DO THESE THINGS to SHOW YOU. "Heel & Toe" is a technique to allow double de-clutch downshifts while braking. It actually involvesbraking with the big toe side of your foot while manipulating the accellerator with the little toe side of your foot. It's VERY difficult (read IMPOSSIBLE) to do properly & effectively in a standard car unless you either have clown feet or have moved your accelerator pedal dangerously close to the brake pedal. There ARE ways to do this, but believe me you don't want to. It was a technique used in motor racing in days before hydraulic braking but it has ZERO relevance in modern road driving. Incidentally (& speaking as a Class 1 police driver) each of the preceding posts was inaccurate in some way, with some of the advice proferred being outright dangerous. Firstly, there is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED to downshift while braking. There used to be, back in the days when brakes were mechanical (not hydraulic) and the performance of the brakes was pi$$ poor. Then downshifts were used to allow engine drag to help the braking process. The correct & SAFE way to slow down is to apply the brake pedal while keeping BOTH hands on the wheel. Slow to the desired speed and THEN change gear to match that speed (double declutch if you want - but in modern synchromesh gearboxes there's no need). The BIG thing is: Once in the selected gear squeeze the accelerator as you smoothly release the clutch to match engine speed to road speed in your selected gear. THAT IS HOW YOU AVOID TRANSMISSION JERKS AS YOU RELEASE THE CLUTCH. Secondly, YOU DO NOT BRAKE AND STEER SIMULTANEOUSLY!!! Unless you have ABS brakes (which will automatically reduce the brake effect) you're heading for a skid and a short trip into the scenery. your cars tyres have a limited amount of grip allowing you to brake OR steer violently, but not both at the same time. Finally, there is a standard drill for dealing with ALL road hazards (i.e ANYTHING other than a completely flat, perfectly straight road) It's: A) COURSE - Approaching the hazard determine your course through the hazard and plan your vehicles position on the road at each stage. B) MIRROR - What's happening behind you, is it safe to move across the road to follow your course. C) SIGNAL - Indicate your intentions using direction indicators or hand signals as appropriate. D) BRAKES - Adjust to a suitable speed to negotiate the hazard E) GEARS - Having finished adjusting your speed, shift gears to one suitable for for your new road speed That's all done BEFORE you get to the hazard. Once the hazard's been negotiated (steered through) then: G) MIRROR - Yes. Again. As a final check that it's safe before you H) ACCELERATE - adjust your speed to match the current road conditions. The mnemonic is "Can My Safety Be Given Madly Away". Mike. Last edited by miked10270; 08-22-2003 at 10:07 AM..