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| quote: | Originally posted by Ang ' ela_ie
The only thing Im concerned about is downshifting. Its not as intuitive to me, Im not sure I get it. |
Hmm, I suppose it's not if you've only ever driven automatics. Essentially what you're using is the engines compression to slow you down in addition to the brakes, whilst at the same time keeping your vehicles revs up at a constant which will stop the engine from stalling and use it's range of power efficiently. An automatic selects gears to do this normally, however I've driven a lot of the newer automatics and they still don't quite 'get it', they're close but still never as efficient it seems on using fuel.
It'll come to you, just find a quiet stretch of road where you can practice going up and down through the gears from start-speed limit-dead stop and repeat until you get the feel of it.
Then later you can work out cornering and so on somewhere else.
Also, the type of engine really determines where you should shift, if it's something big and ugly like my old 5.7L V8 then it would literally be able to idle off the line using it's torque alone to get moving and very gentle use of the accelerator. Unlike the nasty 2L turbo 4cylinder I've got now, it needs about 1300-1500rpm before I start easing out the clutch simply because the engine doesn't have that big flywheel's inertia and torque.
They're far more fun to drive though Ang, you will enjoy it after awhile and don't forget to relax 
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