What Is Heel & Toe? (Downshifting)

What is heel and toe downshift? How to heel and toe downshift. Heel and toe shifting is a technique used while braking. While your foot is on the brake, you depress the clutch, then roll your foot over to blip the throttle, while simultaneously shifting gears. Then you let the clutch out, which results in a very smooth shift, and saves the clutch.

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[dlobom]

Reasons normal people learn to H&T:
1. Smooth transition
2. Saves Clutch
3. Better Lap times

Reasons I learned to H&T:

1. Initial D

[neuronbob]

Best explanation of heel-toeing I've ever seen, AND with the tech behind it. Any time anyone has a question about it on any forum, I will direct them here. Thank you!

[korejhin]

this guy is like ryosuke takahashi....

[arneherman]

So it's basically braking while revmatching and changing gear...?

[Bes_]

Didn’t know you uploaded this video, I was needing it so much! As far as I know H&T also helps to not lock the wheels in cars without abs because of the additional braking force releasing the clutch not being present. Excellent explanation, I was willing to do H&T so much but never figured out what I was doing wrong. Thanks you even if 3 years later!

[wrp]

Dude, these videos you have done so far, are super GREAT. You really have done a great work showing us how to drive like a boss. Thanks a lot and keep on going!

[lornespry]

My mother was a WAAF transport driver in WWII. She taught me to drive with the assumption that synchromesh in transmissions did not exist — which in the military vehicles she drove it didn't. She called them "crash boxes". And so ... I learned to drive matching gear ratio to engine speed. About the same time, I learned that heel and toeing was the same thing as she was doing, but just more efficient than her off and on technique. (I doubt that transport lorries were really set up for H&T in her years of service). I've been driving H&T ever since — even in docile traffic. It's just a habit. Ma was a great teacher and an impeccable driver.

[Szarps]

Im not really much well versed into cars engineering and the stuff but DAAMM this video is so fantastically well explained through and through with the inner mechanics of everything that i understood it all. I didnt log in with my account to avoid getting recommendations over more stuff im not particularly interested in, but i had to just to give a thumbs up to this. Very good video man thank you

[erack]

I love your show, and I love the fact that you post 4k and 1440p videos. I currently have a 1440p monitor, and thoroughly enjoy the quality and knowledge that your videos provide.Thanks again, and keep up the amazing work!

[vframuh]

Hi Jason,
Great Video! You should do a series on how cars got more environmentally friendly over time, maybe explaining catalytic converters, how aerodynamics improved, better gasoline, how engines improved over time to use less fuel, stuff along these lines. Or a Series on how cars got more safe over time, including airbags, improved crash structures etc.

[ibrxhimmma]

too bad takumi isn't real to demonstrate

[KayoMichiels]

Just watch Ayrton Senna heel and toe when he was test driving the Honda NSX at Suzuka, whilst wearing loafers.

[bean]

It's interesting to note that the opposite thing happens when upshifting, but no action on the accelerator is required. Engine RPM must decrease to have a smooth match of gear ratios. By taking your foot off the accelerator, engine RPM decreases through friction.

[dennyrachmansyah]

automatic upvote cuz Engineering Explained

[ricknoah]

Love it !! I thought that was a lost art. In many cases it's the only way to do a match revs downshift while hard braking. It's also nice to use when trail braking, which can get weird fast. You ought to think about prepping that Honda and joining SCCA. Solo would be fun. (is fun)

[Jcgt]

All of your videos are SOLID ! Personally i think you explain everything perfectly 🤘🏻👍

[AmerAhmad]

Here a clarification will clear the air as to why a big toe small toe operation of brake and throttle is called heel and toe. Up to 1930's a lot of the cars, e.g. cars, like Packards and Alfa Romeos, etc. had the throttle between the brake and clutch and set lower down. This was very convenient for depressing the brake with your foot in the normal full five toes on the brake manner and have the throttle under the heel, with the foot perfectly canted in a convenient ergonomically correct manner. The non synchromesh transmissions required throttle manipulations especially while down shifting. Normally you pressed the throttle with the foot but when braking and down shifting you moved up to the brake pedal and heeled the throttle, which had very little throw. This also gave enough foot pressure on the mechanical brakes.

[I.Milanov]

great videos, great job done. though been a driver for quite some time, i still am able to learn new stuff here. keep up the good job!

[PoulainPingouin]

Great video as always, super clear. Best YouTube channel ever!

[chrisb]

Probably the best and clearest explanation I've seen here, great vid