Do you have to rev match when downshifting

[AnthonyA1234]

Looking to get a project Foxbody and I of course want the 5.0 with the manual gearbox. However I am not familiar with how to downshift since the cars I have learned how to drive manual with have had auto rev match. My question is is rev matching necessary when downshifting? Is there another way to do it that doesn’t require blipping the throttle? I have seen people on the internet say rev matching is necessary to ensure you don’t burn out your clutch but then I’ll see others say they never do it. Any input on this?

Sponsored

 

[Joe Mac]

Looking to get a project Foxbody and I of course want the 5.0 with the manual gearbox. However I am not familiar with how to downshift since the cars I have learned how to drive manual with have had auto rev match. My question is is rev matching necessary when downshifting? Is there another way to do it that doesn’t require blipping the throttle? I have seen people on the internet say rev matching is necessary to ensure you don’t burn out your clutch but then I’ll see others say they never do it. Any input on this?

I'd say don't worry about it I raely do. However I won't because about 100 people are about to tell me how wrong I am
Just watch

 

[D Bergstrom]

Been driving for 32 years, have never rev matched any of the manual vehicles I have owned. Have never had any clutch problems. You will be fine if you never do it on a street driven vehicle.

Doug

 

[AnthonyA1234]

So I can just shift to the lower gear and slowly let out the clutch?

 

[Bridgie]

So I can just shift to the lower gear and slowly let out the clutch?

yes.. you won’t damage any thing..
If we can put 500hp through the clutch and drive, a few downshifts will not hurt.

However, heel/toe, blip whilst shifting and learning Rev match control is a craft and makes the drive much smoother.
It doesn’t take much practice and soon becomes second nature, plus it promotes popping and noise, which always brings a smile.

 

[Joe Mac]

yes.. you won’t damage any thing..
If we can put 500hp through the clutch and drive, a few downshifts will not hurt.

However, heel/toe, blip whilst shifting and learning Rev match control is a craft and makes the drive much smoother.
It doesn’t take much practice and soon becomes second nature, plus it promotes popping and noise, which always brings a smile.

I just double clutch my down shifts sounds great

 

[D Bergstrom]

So I can just shift to the lower gear and slowly let out the clutch?

You can let the clutch out as fast as you want, won’t hurt. Obviously within reason, not the best idea to be going 80 miles an hour, shift into first, and quickly let the clutch out....

Doug

 

[kw278]

I just started test driving Mustangs a while ago, leading up to the purchase of a '19 Bullit the other day. I've driven standards on and off my entire life - never had one with rev matching so it was very puzzling to hear the engine revving when I stepped on the clutch. The Bullitt has the option of turning it off - not sure what my ultimate preference will be but this discussion really helps - thanks!

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

I rev match almost every time I downshift, but it's not necessary. I do it because it makes things smoother, my exhaust makes fun pops and burbles, and it's good practice for a track environment, where I would DEFINITELY want to rev match.

When I'm being lazy, I don't, but I'm usually not lazy.

JR

 

[AnthonyA1234]

So let’s say I want to pass someone on the highway where I’m already going fast and I need more torque to be able to pass. It’s completely safe to downshift into a reasonable gear using just the clutch? Or would scenarios like this require a rev match in order to be smooth?

 

[kz]

So let’s say I want to pass someone on the highway where I’m already going fast and I need more torque to be able to pass. It’s completely safe to downshift into a reasonable gear using just the clutch? Or would scenarios like this require a rev match in order to be smooth?

More you downshift (more rpm difference between the gears at your vehicle / wheels speed) less smooth it is going to be. Safe - yes - assuming you won't do money shift (overrev the engine), smooth - no.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

So let’s say I want to pass someone on the highway where I’m already going fast and I need more torque to be able to pass. It’s completely safe to downshift into a reasonable gear using just the clutch? Or would scenarios like this require a rev match in order to be smooth?

If I'm going 75 MPH in sixth gear, the person in front of me is going 75 MPH, and I want to pass, I'll typically drop it to fourth gear and raise the revs by about 1500-2000 RPM as I'm moving the stick. Of course, it's important that you don't inadvertently select second, because you'll suddenly rev the hell out of the engine. That said, I have 3.73s, and can pass completely fine in fifth gear. If I'm not trying to power past them, sixth gear is also fine, but it lugs the engine under load.

JR

 

[Egparson202]

Don’t over think it. You’ll be fine. Enjoy you new car!

 

[Joe Mac]

So let’s say I want to pass someone on the highway where I’m already going fast and I need more torque to be able to pass. It’s completely safe to downshift into a reasonable gear using just the clutch? Or would scenarios like this require a rev match in order to be smooth?

I down shift from 6 to 5th all the time on the freeway

 

[Vlad Soare]

You don't necessarily have to do it, but it makes the whole experience so much smoother, especially as the Coyote has not only a lot of torque (which isn't relevant in this particular context), but a lot of engine braking potential as well (which is).
I have the auto rev match feature in my 2020 GT, but I keep it disabled because I want to train myself to do without it. I tried various techniques and, as far as I can tell, not rev matching seems to be the worst of them all. Because in order to make it smooth you must lift the clutch extremely, extremely slowly, which takes a lot of time. Every downshift will take ages. Anything just a tiny bit faster than that will result in an awful jolt. You won't break anything, but your passengers won't like it.

After a couple of months I managed to be acceptably proficient at rev matching and double clutching, but only as long as I avoid braking and downshifting at the same time - which is an extra challenge in and of itself.
So now I'm trying to learn how to heel and toe. I find the pedals in the Mustang quite well suited for it, but it takes a lot of practice to do it smoothly. I'm not there yet. Actually, I'm so far from being there that I sometimes feel like giving up and reactivating the ARM.

The problem with the ARM is that, as wonderful as it is when it works, it breaks your technique and gives you some bad habits, which make you unable to drive smoothly without it if the need arises. That's why I don't want to turn it back on. But I might do it unless I manage to learn how to heel and toe properly, because avoiding downshifts while braking isn't really a solution, but just a clumsy workaround which I don't like.

Sponsored