Some of you may have read the DSG thread in the New Octavia section that is in danger of going off topic. What it comes down to is this.......

Do you change down through the 'box when slowing down?

No no no! Brakes are for slow, gears are to go

Chris

But when making progress, isnt it better to change down? that way you're already in the right gear to "go" again ?

No no no! Brakes are for slow' date=' gears are to go

Chris[/quote']

That is what I was taught in my test, but many performance drivers (I try to emulate! ) use both to slow car down and have more control...

I do go through gears when slowing. Bad habit maybe, but Im always in the right gear for the speed...

But when making progress, isnt it better to change down? that way you're already in the right gear to "go" again ?

Why waste time with unneccessary gear changes? Use the brakes to get to the correct speed for the hazard, blip throttle, select the right gear and go

Chris

But if you're slowing from 100 to 40, changing down as you go you're not wasting time are you ?

But if you're slowing from 100 to 40, changing down as you go you're not wasting time are you ?

Maybe I'm getting confused here, but what I think you're saying is that you see a 40mph sign up ahead so you press the brake pedal and at the same time do clutch->5th, clutch up, clutch->4th, clutch up, clutch->3rd, clutch up (with no throttle blip to smooth things out unless you're heel and toeing )? Or am I misreading it?

I'd be braking from 100mph in top gear, then as I approached the sign, off brakes, clutch down, blip throttle, select 3/4th, and then balance clutch/throttle so that I was doing 40mph as I passed the sign. Advantages of this are that it's smoother for passengers, it saves wear and tear on the gear box, and it's safer because both my hands are on the wheel right up until the single gear change.

The only time when I'd chose an intermediate gear would be as an alternative to coasting for any significant length of time, eg if I was approaching a roundabout from 100mph and was looking to be approaching it at say 20mph (which would cause the car to stall if I braked all the way down in top gear).

Chris

Assumign the road is straight and I'm braking from 100 to 20 I'd brake in 6th, shave off some speed, change down to 5th, shave off some speed etc. etc. until I go tto my desired speed. I do this in the Octavia too where it isnt possible to heel and toe.

I do find that in the Z, not heeling and toeing can make the rear end feel a bit unstable if you change down a bit too soon as its almost as good as yanking on the hand brake.

No - I slow with the brakes and then change to a gear that's appropriate to the speed...as taught by a Police Class 1 driver.

The main reason though is that brakes are cheap to replace and a gearbox isn't - the original reason for using the gears to slow down was the poor brakes on old cars, not applicable any more.

watched a repeat of topgear and he was driving the tt with dsg? i think.... but it knew what gear he was going to change into instantly so when he was in 4th got to a bend and slowed down ready to take off again it chose 2nd ready for him to change down.... i always change down it helps slow the car down...well that what i got tought in my driving lessons:rolleyes: (as well as the breaks!)

I always change down it helps slow the car down...well that what i got tought in my driving lessons:rolleyes: (as well as the breaks!)

If it's helping slow the car down, why not just press the brake pedal a bit harder instead? The only time where I can see the gears being of any use in slowing the car down would be on a surface where the wheels could lock under braking....

Chris

My dad would say 'Why use up your brake pads and wear the gear box, that's what bumpers are for.'

Seriously though, I just knock it into neutral and brake as and if I need to.

If it's helping slow the car down' date=' why not just press the brake pedal a bit harder instead? The only time where I can see the gears being of any use in slowing the car down would be on a surface where the wheels could lock under braking....

Chris[/quote']

not really! when you come off a dual carrigeway theres a very tight bend...you dont want to be breakind round a bend when you can use the gears to pull the car back to a safer speed....of course i use my breaks but it also helps slowing down...you own a diesle so you should know more about engine breaking!

Seriously though' date=' I just knock it into neutral and brake as and if I need to.[/quote']

:eek: you are joking?

not really! when you come off a dual carrigeway theres a very tight bend...you dont want to be breakind round a bend when you can use the gears to pull the car back to a safer speed....of course i use my breaks but it also helps slowing down...you own a diesle so you should know more about engine breaking!

Diesels have less engine braking!!!!!!!

If I'm approaching a very tight bend, I will brake down to an appropriate speed before the start of the bend and select an appropriate gear to accelerate through the bend If it's a technique recommended by police class 1 drivers and other advanced driving organisations, it's good enough for me

Chris

it depends how i'm driving/feeling...if i'm feeling childish, i'll use the gears as i'm slowing down so that it pops and burbles...

:eek: you are joking?

Going off some of her other post about her driving skills i'd say she's not! :eek: :rofl:

:eek: you are joking?

No. Oh dear, what have I put my foot into now?

Examples:

You are in traffic going down hill, stopping and starting. Do you keep the car in a low gear and brake and accelerate as you need to or just let gravity do its bit (in neutral) and just brake to stop yourself going into the car infront.

You are in 4th (for example) doddling along and you come to a round about. Do you: 1) stay in the gear until the car juddersto a stop. 2) Block shift down, for instance 4th to 2nd to 1st. 3) Drop down regimentally in the gears 4th - 3rd - 2nd 1st? 4) Knock it into neutral and coast to a stand still.

etc etc.

When I had Vlad and I needed to drop about 10mph on a motorway and I would need to regain speed again (for instance when waiting for a gap in the other lane to overtake) I would left foot brake keeping my foot a bit down on the accelerator so as I would have ooomhp behind me to actually do the over taking.

Now I have a car with more gears (and a diesel as well as other diffrences), I am really having to change my driving style. It is totally baffling to me.

You are in 4th (for example) doddling along and you come to a round about. Do you: 1) stay in the gear until the car juddersto a stop. 2) Block shift down, for instance 4th to 2nd to 1st. 3) Drop down regimentally in the gears 4th - 3rd - 2nd 1st? 4) Knock it into neutral and coast to a stand still.

5) Brake down to a speed suitable for the roundabout (using an intermediary gear if necessary) and then on approach to the roundabout, select the appropriate gear and accelerate. You should not coast for any length of time as you are not in control of the car ... see rule 102 of the HC for more info

Chris

Oh Emily...

Chris - it appears our driving characteristics are pretty similar... I must be doing something right... (how did you do btw? by all means PM me)

100% with ScoobyChris on this one. Only select a gear I anticipate needing and not before I'm pretty sure I'm gonna need it, for whatever reason. And none of this knocking it into neutral while deciding which gear.

I think drivers drive instinctively. I just feel what gear the car seems to want to be in. If I'm cruising in no hurry on a main road/m'way I don't bother to change down as I slow from "h'mmm whatever" if I am still above 45-50 mph. Below that I'd sooner be in 4 or 5 as I am going to drop into that to pull away again when things speed up. Around town I get into what seems to be the next gear I will need. Petrol 2.0 FSI is not very torquey low down like a diesel and we probably spend more time in lower [manual] gears than diesel drivers. I like to feel the car is at least near to its best power revs.

you should never coast in neutral at anything other thana walking pace, no good at all :nono:

i change down through the gears virtually all the time but then again i am normally driving like some sort of animal

i find that by changing down throught he box i can be in the right gear for the speed i am doing at all times so can react better to any obstacle that may appear rather than just being able to brake and/or swerve i can also boot it and swerve so get out of the way quicker and not get hit has certainly helped me before.

Diesels have less engine braking!!!!!!!

If I'm approaching a very tight bend' date=' I will brake down to an appropriate speed before the start of the bend and select an appropriate gear to accelerate through the bend If it's a technique recommended by police class 1 drivers and other advanced driving organisations, it's good enough for me

Chris[/quote']

well then.... i've forgotton my point now:rolleyes:

my instructor was a ex copper.... once we had the regular lessons he couldnt think of anything else to teach me:D

I cant believe how many people said yes!!! I never use the gears to slow down its stupid!! I have to agree with Scoobychris because he has stated the correct and safest way to drive.