Matched rev = easier to push shifter into gear?

[xFOCIx]

Is it just my perception or is it easier to get the shifter into a lower gear when I match the revs even with the clutch pushed in?

Let's say I'm going 35mph and I want to shift into second. I have the clutch all the way in first. I can shift the lever into 2nd but with quite a resistance. If I rev the engine up to right RPM with the clutch in, the lever seems to go into 2nd with less effort.

Is this just my perception? I really don't get why it can be anything else, because I think the transmission is hooked up directly th the drive-train while the engine and transmission are isolated by clutch. I can' t see why the transmission would care what RPM the engine is when the clutch is disengaged.

[Sponsor]

[hEaT]

Yea, it does. I've noticed that with any standard car I've driven. Maybe it has to do with the synchros?

[I Nvr Wn]

its because of the rev matching that makes it easier, rev matching is an alternative to heel toe esp. for guys like me who are 6'4'' with size 13 shoes....hell toe is not a poss.

[xFOCIx]

I don't understand why though. If the engine is ISOLATED, how would the transmission know what the engine's rev is?

[RS3RS]

That doesn't make sense to me... It would be easier to put into gear if you were double clutching, but with the clutch in the whole time it doesn't make sense...

[tricker_luke]

ye, i had a packet of peanuts the other day which had this as a tip, saying to rev to the number of the gear you want to shift into to make it smooth, e.g 2000 revs for 2nd gear, 3000 revs for 3rd etc

[BornAgainFordOwner]

My guess would be that there is enough drag on the clutch disk even with the clutch depressed that the transmission input shaft will try to keep up with the engine rpm increase so that the synchronizers have a little less work to do to match the input shaft speed with the new speed of being in 2nd gear.

[junehhan]

Matching rpms, and even double clutching when downshifting 2 or more gears is something that would be good to learn. What you are experiencing is completely normal. It takes a little practice, but double clutching would help greatly to extend the life of your syncros, and your transmission in general, as well as probably your motor mounts.

[tricker_luke]

what is double clutching?

[SkaAddict]

Double clutching is where you let the clutch out and put it back in between neutral and the gear you're selecting. You used to have to do in in non-synchonized gearboxes unless you were really good with rev matching, and AFAIK some big rigs still require it when skipping multiple gears.

There's also a "ricer" term that denotes dropping two gears (e.g. 5th to 3rd) for quick acceleration from a roll.