Easiest Way to Downshift Smoothly - Works in Every Manual Car

Changing down gears smoothly is far more challenging than changing up gears. In this video I explain why and demonstrate a method which is smooth in every manual car.

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This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in Great Britain, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

00:00 Why is it easier to go up gears smoothly?
01:18 What you need to do
02:49 The jerky way
04:30 How I teach this
07:26 Engine sound
08:20 More challenging car
10:36 Using the clutch as a brake
12:26 Clutch wear
13:33 Rev matching with the gas

[DaedricDan]

I passed over 11 years ago and started rev matching about 5 or 6 years ago, but I often get it wrong, so I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one and that someone as experienced as you still occasionaly does too!

[faizazhar]

This guy deserves a Queen’s Gallantry Medal for all his tutorial videos

[beinerthchitivamachado]

BRUH. I got my license and they fr didn't teach me how to downshift. I thought it was the same as going up a gear. No wonder every time I did it the car launched forward. These vids are GOATED.

[TUS]

I learned rev match and heel and toe from your older video. Also my sim racing setup was very helpful with that. I firstly learned how to do proper heel and toe with a virtual h pattern racecar because it is crucial there, otherwise you will have a hard time on corner entry. After that I tried it in my real car. Rev matching without braking was learned rather quickly but heel and toe took me lots of practice. But now I can say that I am able to do it quite well. It adds also lot more fun to my daily commute drives. Thanks for that!

[maxander]

I must have watched all of your videos about Rev match-smooth downshift-how to change gears smoothly-heel & toe-double clutching, but despite this and even though I already know and practise all this driving techniques, I'm always amazed and hooked by your words. You are a point of reference for driving, as a driving instructor and especially as a car enthusiast. I owe all my knowledge and skill about driving to you. Thank you.

[fh]

I passed my test yesterday with 1 minor on observation to junction. Your videos have helped me understand driving with a new mindset of being ‘safe’. Thank you! I will remember you my entire life, please continue helping others. You are making a difference!

[minecafe]

It's Andrew from ibxtoytat! XD What a fun cameo!

[MRDNRA]

I admittedly have at times been using the clutch to help me slow down (albeit only when already braking usually from 60 to 30 zones). It then occurred to me last night that it might cause extra wear on the clutch.

That's why even after having passed my test 18 years back I find it helpful to watch videos like these to find ways I can still improve my driving and hopefully address any bad habits I may have developed!

[artemkatelnytskyi]

What I find key about your explanation is that you teach to hold the clutch pedal at the bite point until the speed of the engine matches the speed of the road, and you teach how to judge that using the tac or by sound.
What some instructors would tell you is to hold the clutch at the bite point for 4-5 seconds, which will achieve the same effect in some situations, but cause the downshift to be jerky in others. Not only that, it doesn't give the learner the understanding of what is happening and why they are holding the clutch in the first place.
The same with moving off — you don't hold the clutch for three car lengths, you hold it as long as it takes the engine speed to match the road speed yet again. Same with stopping — you don't declutch two car lengths before stopping, it's different in every car and gear. You declutch when the engine speed drops to idle and so on.
Your explanation is the only correct one. So thank you for your contribution to proper driver education made accessible to millions!

[ivankastle]

I just recently found your channel and I must say it's been a treat to watch all your videos. Been driving for ~12 years (only 2 were in automatic and plan to keep it that way), and I don't think I've felt my driving as smooth and comfortable as of now. The way you explain the basics and techniques makes them so easy to understand and a great refresher for more experienced drivers like myself. Love your content!

[zestydbd]

Your videos are so interesting, I've been driving for almost 2 years and i still find your videos very informative and just enjoyable to watch. ♥️ Almost 700k as well! Happy for you!

[cavhaunch]

By far the best video I've watched on engine breaking and I've watched quite a few. Well done!

[Joanyan]

i love how you explain things it made learning to drive so much faster when i actually realized what the car is doing underneath

[SamuelMachado]

hell yeah, you don't know how long i've searched, to find a video like yours, i finally got it, and got it easy, man, thank you for your video, i know how to drive, for a little while, but downshifting was/is my nemesis, but now i know how to do it, in thesis, thank you, nice video.

[joshuabichsel]

Your socks and shoes are always money! Also thank you for this video, I recently got an 8th gen civic si with a stage 3 clutch. Most of my driving is in town and my previous vehicle was happy cruising in 3rd gear. The si definitely seems to prefer being in 4th, so ive been having to downshift a lot. You got me rolling in a manual a few years ago and continue to help me today. Thank you!

[inoraven]

Been watching ur videos for a month now, and just today, i past my Driving Test !!! Ur are one of the best if not the best driving instructors ever bro, great work ! 👌

[salami]

iv'e been using this technique in my 981 cayman and bmw z3 alot. I down shift for practice on purpose and it helped ona. road trip when getting ready to pass on a single 2 lane freeway. Thank you for the video!

[MissStacie-XO]

This is very helpful, I’m looking forward to putting this into practice this week with my instructor and with my car. Thankyou.

[satyajitroy]

I think this video is easier to understand. you have illustrated very well. you have a sacrificed heart. rare for new drivers.

[khatrie]

im diving in head first and buying a Honda fit 5 speed manual tomorrow, I've never driven a manual before but have some pretty good faith in myself to learn in a parking lot alone after binge watching your videos for the past week. Appreciate your videos a ton!