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Dave brings up a good point and one I forgot to mention, which is odd since I perform the procedure quite often. Double-clutching (DC for now :) is a great way to keep forward momentum continuing while downshifting. If you regularly play truck-driver and speed up before going up a hill or mountain or you find yourself stuck behind traffic because you have trouble passing then DC will be most beneficial. As you climb up the hill you feel the car slow down and you know you'll need to downshift. DCing allows you to keep your forward momentum but, naturally, you have to perform this quickly! Entering a sharp curve that requires slowing down is another DC area. By DCing, you allow the car to slow down by engine compression AND you give yourself better throttle control of the car. If something should happen you can brake and slow down more quickly OR you can give the car more gas and move out of the way much more quickly. Notice when you step on the gas in 1st gear how much more responsive the engine is compared to 4th gear? Each lower gear you move to gives you better control of the car. But don't downshift two gears (say, from 4th to 2nd) unless you KNOW you'll be in that gear once you are done braking. DCing is particularly helpful when needing to pass another vehicle. You're in 4th and you're NOT spinning out the engine (you have 500 to 1000 rpm or more to play with). Approach the other vehicle, turn on your turn signal, DC to 3rd, pass the other vehicle quickly and turn off your turn signal, once you pass the nose of the other vehicle or up to a car length beyond it shift to 4th. This is assuming level ground. Driver skill and conditions will dictate what you must do. Most importantly, know your car and know yourself. DCing takes practice, particularly when the skill is needed for going up hill, but it is a skill that will give you the advantage over most drivers and allow you to be a safer driver (I've DCed from 2nd to 1st going up hill in icy conditions...smooth, uninterrupted mh(;is important for controlling a car on ice). BTW, the new Ferrari has a computer system for it's trannies that automatically DCs if the driver downshifts. The transmission is fully manual and not automatic as we know it. Toby Erkson air_cooled_nut@pobox.com <-- Please use this address for email '72 VW Squareback 1.6L bored and stroked to 2.0L, Berg five-speed '75 Porsche 914 1.8L, R.I.P., ORPCA member '95 VW Jetta III GL 2.0L, P-Chipped, Jamex sport suspension Portland, Oregon, http://www.pobox.com/~toby_erkson/ > -----Original Message----- > It's a very satisfying way of changing as you blast round a > hairpin on a > steep hill. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Too much? Digest! mailto:type3-d-request@vwtype3.org Subj=subscribe