Skipping Gears

[StuMcBill]

When I learned to drive, I was taught to skip gears (4->2, 5->3), however I have since got into the habit of changing down through the gears (5->4->3->2->1) and using a bit of engine braking to help slow me down.

My question is, I seem to remember being told, it was OK to skip gears on the way down, but not on the way up?

Is this correct?

Cheers

Stu

[Dalboy]

Originally Posted by StuMcBill

When I learned to drive, I was taught to skip gears (4->2, 5->3), however I have since got into the habit of changing down through the gears (5->4->3->2->1) and using a bit of engine braking to help slow me down.

My question is, I seem to remember being told, it was OK to skip gears on the way down, but not on the way up?

Is this correct?

Cheers

Stu

No, not if you are doing sufficient speed for a higher gear.

[NEEMSTAR]

Skipping down is fine and encouraged.

I skip up, 2 > 4 normally if I'm not in a rush and doing enough speed / revs for 4th

As long as your not putting strain on the engine I think it's fine.

[Smarty]

I would have thought as long as you have sufficient revs you should be able to skip up a gear (or 2). I've done this, aminly when getting up to 30 as I like to cruise around in 4th. Normally I'd change to 3rd around 30 so I see no point in goig 1-2-3-4. Anyway, I could be (and probably am) wrong...

[Dalboy]

Originally Posted by Smarty

I would have thought as long as you have sufficient revs you should be able to skip up a gear (or 2). I've done this, aminly when getting up to 30 as I like to cruise around in 4th. Normally I'd change to 3rd around 30 so I see no point in goig 1-2-3-4. Anyway, I could be (and probably am) wrong...

Your right

[angie4m]

Going up fine as long as your not changing from 2nd to 4th at 2000rpm as there could be an issue there and when changing down you just have to make sure your revvs aint too high as there is no rev limiter when changing down so you can over rev the engine Oops!

[Unknownsoldier]

Using the engine to reduce the speed of the car is now frowned upon, when I learnt I was told I would be marked down for not using my brakes!!! I still though use my gears to "slow & go". I was taught however to skip gears on the way down, but not on the way up, however I rev mine in first gear then jump to third then to fifth/sixth. Depends if I'm in a hurry or not, I have found skipping gears and using engine braking instead of hard braking is more economical on fuel.

Tom

[bucketp]

My driving instructor (v brave man) allways told me to use brakes to slow your car as a set of pads is a lot cheaper han a gearbox!

[Unknownsoldier]

Ahah, but try that with old brakes I was told the same balls as that and I don't agree, you should use the gears to slow you gradually, doing this I rarely touch the brakes and make excellent times on journeys because it requires you to gauge how the cars are moving. Also mototrways this is much easier.

Tom

[okehciv]

I have to admit to skiping gears going up and down.

[f.ss.t]

yes i do the same.. usually pull off (when im relaxed0 in 1st gear -17mph... then 2nd gear till 27mph... into third and 4th gear at like 33mph.... i think once your above 30mph however you get there, you can put in fourth... however going from say 1st gear redlining at 40mph to 4th gear would be a bit irregular haha........... one thing you dont want to do is shift down from 4th to 2nd 3meters before a corner! haha

[f.ss.t]

sometimes you may have to skip from 6th>4th or 5th>3rd on motorways to get back into the v-tec zone haha -for safer overtaking and showing off

[ViBe]

In driving schools here in sweden nowadays they teach you eco driving technique. I'm a bit old to have gone through this but what I've heard they teach you to skip gears both going up and down as well as using engine braking all of the time when slowing down. I personally skip gears on both ways depending on my driving style for the moment, if im in a hurry or not etc. I almost never use 5th gear though, its almost always 1-2-3-6 and 4th when I need to overtake on the motorway. I am a bit confused though about using the engine to brake, the pros would be that it cuts of fuel supply, saves gas, and minimizes ware on the pads.. but I would imagine it could wear out the clutch and gearbox quicker if you do this a lot.. does this seem right?

[Unknownsoldier]

Thats the apparent point.... but personally I don't see it's any different to changing gear at any other time.

Tom

[Bungle]

Skipping gears in both directions is good. Sequentially selcting every gear in the box is a waste of time and effort.
Brakes are for slowin', gears are for goin'. Engine braking should be used to maintain a reduced speed down a hill, for example. You should not, not, not use gears to slow the car. Very bad practice.
'Ecosafe' driving is being bought in over here too. Block changing is encourage, as is using the highest available (and suitable) gear. The biggest thing is forward planning.

[illegalhunter]

i go 4/ 6 on the way up all the time

[Jack The Lad.]

I can remember my Dad, turning the ignition off, putting it in neutral and coasting down long hills in his Standard 8.
Had I not been but just a kid, that would have been frightening.
He hasn't had an accident in 55 years of driving, though he has probably caused a few, without knowing.

[lippy]

I was taught that you could skip gears going 'down', to help slow the car by using engine and brakes, and also to keep in a low gear to keep a lower speed going down a steep hill - there is a hill locally that I regularly see people driving down with their foot on the brakes whereas I go down it in 3rd, stay at 30ish and dont wear my brakes out. My dad also did this and never had any problems.

[Robbieee]

I dont think i have ever used 5th gear! Always go from 4th to 6th...

[coolice]

Originally Posted by Bungle

Brakes are for slowin', gears are for goin'. Engine braking should be used to maintain a reduced speed down a hill, for example. You should not, not, not use gears to slow the car. Very bad practice.

Hey,

This is a good topic and one which can be answered in many ways as proved with the above statement which is just a personal assumption and not fact I feel.

Using the gears to slow your car down will not prematurely wear your gearbox, putting torque through it to pull away does but unless you totally fumble a gear change at the wrong revs it's not going to cause any problems.
In this instance what is the difference between using your gears to maintain speed going down a hill to using the same technique to help you slow down?

Also, using your gears to slow you down gives your brakes an easier life, remember when slowing down your brakes get hot and this heat generates gas. This gas can build between pad & disk, the pads can glaze over as well reducing your braking power even more. Hence vented, drilled & grooved disks to help dissipate heat.

In todays world of having to save money with fuel bills as well it has already been mentioned that slowing down in gear reduces fuel used, as the ECU doesn't need to keep the engine running the cars momentum will.

I slow down using my gears and always have done and block changed, again as with everyone else it depends if your trying to make head way or just chilling.

Ian