How bad is it to shift from 5th to 2nd while going 50mph?

If you indeed damaged something, you'd know pretty much right away. It happens, but that's why you keep your foot on the clutch.

You're probably fine, but yea, don't do that.

 

As long as the RPM's stayed under the redline I would not worry about it.

 

In high school, I blew up a Tercel doing exactly this. Pieces of engine all over the interstate. Definitely do not recommend.

 

I did this once in my '06 Scion tC when it was practically brand new, I was maybe 21 years old. GF wanted to hold hands while driving, so naturally I obliged and anytime I needed to shift I just guided her hand to do it on the shifter.

Well, the inevitable happened one day and I mistakenly downshifted from 4th - 1st or 5th to 2nd, I can't remember which. It was a big jump and felt like the car was basically thrown in park. GF not impressed. Pride hurt. Haven't done that since.

That little car lasted another 150k miles before I traded it in so I doubt you hurt anything, don't make a habit of it.

 

although I'm sure it royally sucked at the time, haha

 

You need to know where your RPM range is at certain speeds. If you're doing 50 mph and want to shift into second, you better mash the shit out of the gas to rev-match before engaging the clutch. There's not a lot of RPM room up there, but there's a little, I think. I usually only WOT in third doing 70 on the highway to pass people. It's sad. Lol

 

It's not a problem if your motor can redline at 8K RPM.

 

I feel guilty seeing mine at anything over 2500.....

 

like, catholic guilt?

 

You must be through three gears before you even get through an intersection

 

Selective gear changing means you sometimes miss out gears, for example, by changing from fifth gear to second gear. This method is called ‘selective’ or ‘block’ gear changing. Unfortunately, you did this unintentionally and in a wrong way. To do this, you need to reduce your speed from 50 mph to 30 mph, and switch from 5th to 2nd gear. When you intend to go from 5th to 4th gear and you have 50 mph then you have to put the gear lever in neutral position. The gear lever will automatically spring to the central neutral position when not in a gear (against 3rd and 4th gear). This is very useful when trying to find and select the fourth gear. Just form your new habit.

 

I used to powershift the ‘garbage’ truck for fun…

 

Thats how it is on mine. 28's and 4.30 gears

 

I downshift to third at 50 all of the time. Getting bored on mountain roads will make you pretty good at shifting all over the place before turns and hills.

 

While I like to "row the lever" on occasion, this is pretty spot-on. Brakes are far cheaper than gears/engines/clutches. That stated, I use a 4 - 2 shift all the time when driving in town to make turns (slowing from 35-40mph to 10-15mph, or so). Also, didn't see anyone mention it, but a 5 - 2 shift in slippery conditions could result in loss of control. Lastly, when I do a 5 - 4 shift, the lever just falls into place. To execute a 5 - 2, I would definitely feel the lever resist as the synchros spool up. Any MT vehicle I've driven, a 4 - 1 wouldn't even happen without obvious grinding or really shoving on the lever...can't say I've ever had this happen. FWIW, I only shift into 1 either from a stop or if moving <5-10mph. When moving, I typically double-clutch if I need to get into 1, as the synchros are getting a little tired on my 2003.

OP, you may need a new shifter bushing...shouldn't be hard to feel the difference between 5 - 4 and 5 - 2.

 

Means you've added a gear, without even having to drop the tranny. I've done it before accidentally, doesn't make the truck happy that's for sure. If it's only once it won't blow you up

 

Unless....

it was on purpose?

 

Its an odd trick where the engine can go a lot faster while you go a lot slower