To downshift or not?
- Thread starter JohnsD90
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JohnsD90
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well there's 219,743 miles on my fathers (avid downshifter) 99.5 jetta on the original clutch. no signs of anything wrong with the clutch, transmission shifts like new and no syncro problems. And on his friend's 96 4runner V6 stick, there are 206k miles on the original clutch with downshifting, and the tranny is perfect.
Yeah, it all depends on what you are trying to stop. A lighter car with smaller tires should wear a LOT less on the tranny clutch plate than a heavier rig with large diameter tires. I killed a clutch plate in my jeep from years of downshifting and wheeling.....I've just learned to brake.
BTW, is that Jetta TDI? If so, how's the deceleration when he lets off the gas pedal? I use a 7.3L PSD as a tow rig and the higher compression of the Diesel is terrible when it comes to decelerating. Been looking at a TDI for the wife...
BTW, is that Jetta TDI? If so, how's the deceleration when he lets off the gas pedal? I use a 7.3L PSD as a tow rig and the higher compression of the Diesel is terrible when it comes to decelerating. Been looking at a TDI for the wife...
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JohnsD90
New member
The TDI is great. He Rocketchipped it, went from 90hp to 115hp or 130hp, it is really quick now. The deceleration on it is pretty good, but changes depending on what gear you are in.
BTW the amount of torque the TDI produces is a lot on his clutch plate, espicially after he chipped it, so its not as a dramatic of a difference as you think. Plus it all depends on how good you are on the clutch.
I would definitely recommend the 1.9tdi Jetta (99.5-04). The car is nice and quick, he averages 45-47mpg, only major thing you have to do to it is change the timing belt every 60k miles or 100k miles depending on the belt. He is 5' 11" and there is room above his head, the interior is very comfortable too. and overall it is a very fun and efficient car.
I have put about 4k miles on it and love it.
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JohnsD90
New member
IDC, i love to talk about the Jetta (we have had 2 bugs and 2 jetta's all stick). If you ever have questions about it ask.
Now back too topic.
Oh....on a hill yes.....I was assuming he meant coming to a complete stop.
crackiswack
New member
coming to a stop I always brake. Sure clutch wear can be minimized with proper technique, but unless you are double clutch downshifting to every light, you are putting added wear on the synchros. Obviously for hills and turns I downshift to slow down were there is an advantage to downshifting
JohnsD90
New member
I am the only of my friends who downshift, not many of them even know how to drive stick, and the ones who do roll down hills in neutral and brake to stop. And the transmission is warn if you roll to stop or down a hill in neutral you are not spinning the oil around in the tranny and it is not be lubed properly. And if down properly the tranny will outlast the life of the vehicle if downshifting.
Backwoodsboy
New member
Coming to a complete stop I break slowing downI down shift. I know a few people that ride the clutch to slow down and pop the clutch just before stopping.
JohnsD90
New member
that will kill the clutch riding all the way down.
JohnsD90
New member
its near impossible to do it without braking.
juiceboxer
New member
Who wouldn't want to double clutch it at every light:bravo:
I usually downshift on a hill, brakes for a light.
true. Observing my driving i always downshift and generally only start brake in 2nd. but it all depends on how aggressively i am driving
