When i shift from 1st to 2nd gears (not racing, just going smooth), I usually put the clutch in then give the engine a sharp rev before i drop the clutch into second, does anyone else do this? It seems like you can just drop the clutch without worrying about the gas when you do it. I was just wondering if i was the only one who did this.................

 

when im driving stick i dont do that. i get off the gas, but i never put the clutch in all the way. just enough till it pops into gear. then continue on. downshifting is a different story. then i do spike the rpm's to make the engine speed match the wheel speed.

 

by spiking the rpms before downshifting, does this reduce any jerking around that might occur?

 

yea. the jerk is becasue the engine speed is trying to catch up to the wheel speed. What happens is the engine slows the car down, but at the same time the car speeds the engine up. The rpm's will rise, but the car will jerk around. by hitting the gas while the clutch is still in, you get the rpm's spiked already, so the jerk wont happen