Wife learning stick

[Kirby]

I agree 100% with the explanations and reasons for heel and toe braking. But there is yet another reason for using it that is kind of implied here but not really mentioned. It is also for the COMBINED reasons posted above - QUICKLY braking AND optimizing RPM simultaneously.

If you are coming aggressive and fast into a corner, you need more braking power than the higher gear offers. Heel and toe lets you maintain smooth 4 wheel braking while the clutch is in (no engine braking at all). 4 wheel braking keeps the car more stable and provides a quicker deceleration than just a downshift. Meanwhile the shift brings the car back into the powerband. As the car's speed drops, the brake pressure is reduce to nothing, and engine only braking starts to take over. Then you start to start to increase pressure on the accelerator 1/2 to 3/4 of the way thru the turn (depends on the geometry of the turn). You are in the lower gear power band and power out of the corner.

When you get it right, it works great, and when you don't get it right, it pretty much sucks. It is much easier to do on a bike, because you don't have to contort your foot to manipulate the brake and accelerator simultaneously.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[MrElussive]

Good explanation and reasoning.

 

[Timmeh]

New York Trojan--There is no reason your wife shouldn't have the time of her life driving that car- Clutch or SMG , these cars are a great thing to share with your spouse. My wife and I just got an M3 and went to Big Sur, CA to break in the car(1250 mile break in period). Big Sur is a world class slice of undeveloped coastline with giant redwoods and 4000 foot rolling hills that shear off at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Absolutly amazing in a bimmer. Wasn't long and we were both snickin thru the gears and bliping the gas to downshift into tight curves above the jagged cliffs. Johnny law even paid us brief visit to remind us that it was NOT a closed course event. My wife truly had the time of her life, and I get as much out of watching her push out of turns as I do driving(well almost!!). Best of luck to you

 

[Big Daddy]

For a good example and instructions on Heel-Toe methods try:

Stuart Jones Method

Or:

Ferrari Club

 

[330i and like it]

It is the clutch that can get damage. My advice, rent a cheap car with a stick for a week and have her learn on that. It might cost you $120-150 but it is going to be a lot cheaper than a new clutch. It may also help your marriage (teach a wife to drive is not a funny experience).

 

[MrElussive]

Big Daddy, I like the Stuart Jones Method...thanks for the link, I'm gonna start practicing.

 

[wileycoyote]

Heel Toe, my 2 cents

When racing, there is no good reason to use the engine to brake (unless your brakes are gone as stated earlier). Heel toe is all about matching engine speed (RPM) to wheel speed. If done properly, you can downshift without using the clutch.

 

[bahnstormer]

guys never roll to a stop in neutral. on the street u never know what might jump out and u're gonna have to have some engine power to swerve around an obstacle.

always brake and shift down the gears, 4-3-2-and NEVER put it in 1 while the car is moving...wait til u stop

 

[MrElussive]

What's wrong with down-shifting to 1? I do it sometimes if I have enough room, or basically if I feel the situation calls for it.
Normally, when I have to stop, I down-shift to 3 or to 2...depends if I'm really lazy or not...usually, I'm not lazy.