2DMax

iTrader: (2)

You see NASCAR driver do it, my friend does it....
What RPM can you shift into a gear without grinding?

Slim

Hmmmm, I don't think this is actually something you want to do. When you miss the gears get hammered...

Daniel B. Martin

There is no "magic" rpm involved. Rather, it is a matter of judgment and
feel. The technique is called "speed matching". If you do this speed
matching just right, the shifts will be completely silent. There will be
no gear-grinding sounds whatever.

In order to shift to a higher gear without using the clutch you ease off the
gas just enough so the engine is neither accelerating or slowing the car.
Then you move the shifter from one gear to the next higher gear, feeling
your way so as to not abuse the synchronizers. The timing of this
clutchless shift is fairly fast, a two-step "blip-blip" taking about one
second, total.

To shift to a lower gear you shift into neutral, then goose the gas just a
bit, and ease into the lower gear. The timing of this clutchless shift is
a bit slower, a three-step "blip-rev-blip" taking about two seconds, total.

The way to start from rest is to switch the engine off, shift into first
gear, crank the engine, and away you go.

While it is possible to shift without using the clutch, this is not
recommended except in extraordinary circumstances. I have done this to
help friends with broken clutch cables. I did it for myself once when the
hydraulic slave cylinder suffered a catastrophic hemorrhage. It's better
to do repairs at home than at the roadside. Being a thrifty sort, I like
to avoid the tow-truck fee.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

I want to stress one thing about Daniel's post. He does mention that these procedures should only be used for emergencies only.

But I want to add that the starting in gear one is really hard on your starter. So don't go and experiment with this one. Especially when the 4-gen starters aren't the greatest thing either.

David

Get yourself a bike and you can go all day without using the clutch (except Neutral to 1st or N to 2nd when pulling away.) And stopping, again, of course.

Blip the throttle closed (ie back to front) and pop the gearlever in the same 1/5th of a second. A doddle.

The writer accepts no responsibility for anything. Ever.

2DMax

iTrader: (2)

I don't plan on doing this on an on going basis, but thought it would be interesting to try, and helpful in those situations where the clutch is non-functional. I'm still weary about doing it on my car, must go out and rent a car or borrow someone elses !