[BeAmW335i]

Kind of hard to explain, but here goes...

Image that you're going straight in 3rd gear at 70 mph. Ahead is a right turn that requires you to downshift into 2nd. Before I approach the turn, I apply the brakes hard with my right foot, and as I am slowing down, I press the clutch with the left foot and shift into 2nd. Since the right foot is not on the gas pedal anymore, and the clutch is pressed, the RPM's drop down to idle. The problem I run into at this point is that both of my feet are being used, and I can't rev match because I'm still applying the brakes with my right foot. The end result is that I end up releasing the clutch, the engine jerks a bit because the RPM's climb to match the engine speed before I ever had the chance to apply any gas. What am I doing wrong? Is this where heel/toe technique come into play?

[satakal]

reference this post. Heck, even search youtube.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169455

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[BeAmW335i]

Thanks. Actually, just got done reading that exact post along with this link http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/07/...g_made_simple/

Edit: That video was a cruel joke! I actually watched it while saying WTF?

[adamc514]

WTF man. I wonder what the neighbors were thinking when that kid was recording the video in the driveway.

[satakal]

Originally Posted by BeAmW335i

Thanks. Actually, just got done reading that exact post along with this link http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/07/...g_made_simple/

Edit: That video was a cruel joke! I actually watched it while saying WTF?

it's what came up when I searched "how to heel toe". Was it not instructional? I say, blame the internets.

[BillLee]

^^^
haha

[longodj]

Put only half of the sole of your right foot on the brake pedal. When you need to downshift just twitch your right root right a bit. I.e. keep the left part of the sole in place and jerk the right foot forward to blip the throttle. That should give you a quick intro, play around with it. You can use your sole on the brake and heel on the gas, or any other variation but it will take a ton of practice to get it right. Do it on the street....every time you downshift.

[325racer]

This Vid doesn't really show the feet itself, but if you watch my knees you can see my right leg move right to Blip the throttle on the downshifts. Don't watch my left leg unless you want to be confused!!!! I double clutch on downshifts, guess it's just something I learned long ago and automatically do it. I think I'm just waiting till I get a chance to drive some Vintage cars!!!!!!!!!!!

Driving Satakal's 335i at BMWCCA Cal Speedway driving school
http://blip.tv/file/1310903/

[satakal]

satakal driving Satakal's 335i at BMWCCA Cal Speedway driving school

check out 3:35 and 4:47 and 5:53

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[NDeedOne]

Originally Posted by satakal

reference this post. Heck, even search youtube.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169455

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Dude... that was soooo funny... I am now going to have to send this to whole thread to my friend, so they to can learn how to heel toe.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by BeAmW335i

Kind of hard to explain, but here goes...

Image that you're going straight in 3rd gear at 70 mph. Ahead is a right turn that requires you to downshift into 2nd. Before I approach the turn, I apply the brakes hard with my right foot, and as I am slowing down, I press the clutch with the left foot and shift into 2nd. Since the right foot is not on the gas pedal anymore, and the clutch is pressed, the RPM's drop down to idle. The problem I run into at this point is that both of my feet are being used, and I can't rev match because I'm still applying the brakes with my right foot. The end result is that I end up releasing the clutch, the engine jerks a bit because the RPM's climb to match the engine speed before I ever had the chance to apply any gas. What am I doing wrong? Is this where heel/toe technique come into play?

It is imperative that you match revs in this situation. The engine "jerking a bit" can unsetlle the car when the weight suddenly shifts forward and causes Trailing Clutch Oversteer (TCO). If you are at or near the limits of grip when this happens the car will spin out.

It is best to downshft before you turn and trail brake as you are turning

CA

[kenneth]

I haven't yet learned heel toe, I plan to practice over winter for next season! So what I do is when downshifting after hard braking, I clutch and release really quick so the revs don't have time to drop too far!!!

If you clutch and take too much time shifting and declutch, that's when you start getting wheel chirp etc.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by satakal

satakal driving Satakal's 335i at BMWCCA Cal Speedway driving school

check out 3:35 and 4:47 and 5:53

Always refer to yourself in the third person? Is your name Jimmy?*







*brownie points and a cookie if you get the reference..... Google search is a disqualification!!!

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by kenneth

I haven't yet learned heel toe, I plan to practice over winter for next season! So what I do is when downshifting after hard braking, I clutch and release really quick so the revs don't have time to drop too far!!!

If you clutch and take too much time shifting and declutch, that's when you start getting wheel chirp etc.

Below is the technique for a fully synchro transmission that does not require double clutching (like a BMW). The technique for double cluching is similar except rather than blipping the accelerator while the clutch is depressed you would depress the clutch, shift into neutral, release the cluch, roll the right side of you foot to the accelerator to blip while maintaining steady pressure on the brakes. Depress the cluch once again, shift into the loser gear and then release the clutch. Once you get the hand of it the entire sequence can be executed very quickly. It it is done well you will not feel the car decellerate when you shift into a lower gear. Doulbe cluthing is not necessary on most modern road cars with fully synchromesh transmissions but on race cars with straight cut gears and no synchros it is necessary. There is no harm in doulble cluthing a syncho tranny it just is not necessary. I got in the habit of doing it and that is the way I always shift.



Here is a step-by-step guide on how to heel-and-toe downshift. It will explain how to shift from fourth gear to third gear, though the technique will work for any downshift.

1. Begin braking for the corner with your right foot. The location of the pedals and the size of your foot will dictate where you position your foot on the pedal, but most likely it should be canted a little to the right, closer to the throttle pedal.
2. Push in the clutch with your left foot.
3. This is the hard part. With your right foot still applying pressure to the brakes, roll the outside edge of your foot outward and downward to touch the throttle pedal. The pedal design on some cars makes this easier to do than on others. Use the outside of your right foot to blip the throttle. Blipping the throttle means temporarily raising the engine rpms to match the wheel speed. The exact amount of revs needed is dependent on a variety of factors, but it is usually between 1,000 rpm to 2,000 rpm more than the current engine rpm for a one-gear downshift.
4. Move the shifter to third gear.
5. Release the clutch with your left foot.

As you can see, "heel-and-toe" is a misnomer. It actually involves the ball of your foot and the side of your foot. We'll be the first to tell you that heel-and-toe downshifts aren't easy. We've found that a good way to practice is to just sit in your car in your garage and pretend you are doing a heel-and-toe downshift with the engine off. Keep repeating the steps until you are familiar with the process. Once you are ready, try it out for real. Most likely, your early attempts will be botched. Keep trying, though. Practice each step slowly and then work your way to making them all one, fluid motion. Skilled drivers can execute a heel-and-toe downshift in less than one second.

The trickiest part is getting the correct amount of rpms to match the new gear. If you blip the throttle too much, the engine has too much speed compared to the wheels and is forced to drop down to the wheel speed when you let out the clutch. If you don't blip the throttle enough, the engine rpms are forced to rise up. Either way, you know you didn't do it right as the car will jerk a little.

You'll also know it when you did it right. A proper heel-and-toe downshift is so smooth and so satisfying that, once done correctly, you'll find yourself using the technique all the time. The great thing is that you don't have to be a racecar driver or be on a racetrack to use it. Additionally, using the heel-and-toe downshift technique on the street can improve safety. In certain emergency situations, you might be required to brake heavily and then accelerate quickly. By heel-and-toe downshifting, your car will be in the best gear to achieve maximum acceleration.

[kenneth]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169455

This is a thread I started a while back. Some very good tips!

[BeAmW335i]

Thanks for the replies. I've been trying the heel-toe technique (not really heel-toe, but you know what I mean) it's a bit difficult to do in everyday driving since it works better when hard braking. At least I'm trying...someday I'll get there.