Can you skip gears while downshifting?

Hi, I had a question about downshifting. When I am driving and need to slow down(like passing a school zone) in 4th gear, can I go directly from 4th to 2nd gear? Or do I have to go 4th to 3rd to 2nd. Say I am going 45 mph in 4th and I need to get to about 15-20(2nd). For other examples, can go you go directly 5 to 2, or do you have to go 5-4-3-2? Thanks!

 

You can skip gears... make sure you rev match. Make sure you aren't exceeding the maximum speed for that gear or you'll throw your engine in the red zone..

ex... don't downshift to 2nd if you are doing 80mph on the highway.

 

you can butyou don't what to all of a sudden be doing 70 in 2nd gear....


get a feel for your truck, when you start to redline in different gears, then shift accordingly

 

as long as you rev match, it would be fine

 

Yes..you can skip going either direction (up or down shifting) depending on what you are doing.

Rev matching and double clutching as appropriate and ensuring you do no exceed the engine/transmission parameters and you'll be fine. Take the time to learn the truck sounds and feels before you try to get too tricky with the stick.

 

I think the OP(original poster) is just refering to slipping it into neutral and slowing down then putting it back in gear at the appropriate speed. That is fine to do. I double clutch when dropping to first because syncro or something won't let me engage it unless I'm creeping.

 

thanks for the help! I'm a little confused on rev-matching. Why do you have to do it? What is it anyways? I have another question when slowing down for a turn or something. If you are going straight and need to make a left or right turn w/o stopping, what do you do? Let's say the turn is about 90 degrees so you have to slow down a lot. If I'm going 45 mph in 4th and need to switch to 2nd for the turn, what should I do? Should I downshift from 4 to 2nd or while I am in 4th, put it in neutral then go to second?

 

I'm not talking about this way, but is this the right way? I really have no clue since I'm new to manual. I have to put in neutral? Is this wrong: In 4th, clutch in, switch lever to 2nd, cluch out while applying gas. Or do I go stay in 4th, put in neutral, clutch out, then clutch back in, change lever to 2nd, clutch out while applying gas?

 

You can depress the clutch in 4th, shift to 2nd, goose the gas to get your revs up, and then release the clutch.

You started another thread about the turning thing already...I think it's pretty well hashed out in there...

 

and if it's a wet and/or slippery you'll be looking at where you just came as a result of downshifting that deep.

 

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Sounds like you need to learn to drive it without worrying about double clutching first or rev matching. Get that down first. In your turning scenario I would do something like this. Put in neutral as rpm's decline, when I get near corner and am going around 15-20 put back in 2nd and let clutch out.

 

IMO you should never have your truck or car in neutral while driving. But that is just my view from driving truck, you have no control when your in neutral. Learning to properly rev match is a great idea, its easier on your clutch, and makes a smoother shift. When your accelerating, just notice how much your revs drop when you shift up, that way when your rev matching on the downshift, you will have a good idea of where to bring your revs up to to get a perfect match! Have some fun with it, just be very careful not to over-rev your engine, and don't learn it in the rain.

 

thank goodness for synchronizers!

 

Before I put the lever in 2nd gear from neutral, do I need to blip the gas a little? Or can I change it right into 2nd gear without doing anything?