Operating a car with a manual transmission requires you to shift gears as you go. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned vet of manual transmissions, they still require a little more concentration as you drive when compared to an automatic transmission. Knowing how to time shifts as you drive is vital to the efficiency and health of your vehicle’s engine and transmission. Let’s explore what rev matching is and how it can extend the life of your car’s drivetrain. If you have any questions, give us a call at (201) 200-1100.

What Is Rev Matching?

Rev matching is a driving technique that is specific to vehicles with manual transmissions. Rev matching applies to the speed of the engine when downshifting. This occurs as you slow down to take a curve or any other circumstance where you slow the vehicle down only to accelerate immediately after. Another term you will commonly hear in association with rev matching is “heel-toe downshifting.”

Heel-toe downshifting is widely practiced in the sport of racing, where drivers encounter multiple circumstances requiring them to slow their cars without using the brakes and then rapidly accelerate. If you’ve driven a vehicle with a manual transmission for a significant amount of time, you may already have a pretty good idea of what rev matching is, even if you are unfamiliar with the terminology. That said, many people have never learned this driving technique, and their cars have paid the price with added wear and tear on the engine and the transmission.

If you’re not accustomed to executing rev matching while driving it can be tough to get the hang of, but with some practice and patience, you are sure to master this technique. To put it simply, rev matching is when you match the engine speed to the speed of the lower gear you are about to shift down to when slowing down your vehicle. When this is properly executed, it will result in a smooth transition without any judder or added strain on the engine and transmission.

Is Rev Matching Necessary?

If you have driven a car with a manual transmission for many years without practicing rev matching, you may be curious if it’s necessary during daily driving. This is a valid concern, and the short answer to this question is yes, but it’s not so cut and dry. Even though rev matching isn’t required to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, it’s highly recommended and relatively easy to learn.

Downshifting without rev matching puts undue strain on the engine and the transmission, resulting in lurching and bogging down of the engine. Over time this strain can be harmful to your vehicle’s drivetrain and can lead to costly repairs.

Rev matching can help prolong the life of your vehicle by:

• Reducing engine braking.
• Reducing engine fatigue and stress.
• Reducing the chance of wheel lock.
• Eliminating forward weight transfer when cornering.

When you take the time to learn the heel-toe downshifting technique, you will experience a smoother ride, eliminate undue strain on your vehicle, and avoid costly repairs.

How to Execute Rev Matching

Don’t fret if you don’t know how to perform rev matching when driving a car with a manual transmission. With some well-spent time and effort, you will be able to master the technique and be on your way to shifting gears like the pros.

There are a few steps you can follow when learning how to execute rev matching:

• Slow down as you approach a corner so you can safely navigate the turn.
• Press in the clutch. Remember that this will cause the engine speed to abruptly drop as the clutch disengages.
• Press on the gas pedal. This will increase the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM) and, in turn, its speed.
• Shift down to the lower gear and let off the clutch pedal as normal. When executed correctly, the speed of the engine will match the speed of the lower gear you shifted into, achieving rev matching.

Mastering this process takes time and patience, just as it does when you are first learning to operate a manual transmission. If you just can’t seem to get the hang of it, you can always purchase a vehicle with automatic rev matching, like the Nissan 370Z, the Hyundai I30N, the Mini Cooper S, or the Honda Civic Type R. These vehicles do the work for you, letting you downshift and go without having to think about matching the engine and gear speeds.

Does Rev Matching Affect Fuel Mileage?

Fuel mileage is negatively affected by rev matching due to throttling up the engine during the procedure. Any time the use of the gas pedal increases, you will see a drop in fuel efficiency. Though rev matching will impact fuel mileage, you will most likely not notice as the difference will be minimal.

When Is it Bad to Use Rev Matching?

When appropriately used, rev matching is more beneficial than harmful. If you intend to use downshifting to bring your vehicle to a complete stop, it will negatively affect your car’s drivetrain, causing damage. Technically, you can’t use rev matching to stop a vehicle; if you downshift to stop your vehicle, it is called engine braking, which comes with its own negative ramifications.

As mentioned earlier, one side effect associated with rev matching is a slight drop in fuel efficiency. If you consider any loss of fuel mileage to be bad, no matter how insignificant the loss is, this side effect of rev matching can be thought of as a negative. Overall, the benefits of rev matching far outweigh any negative outcomes.

If you had no idea of what rev matching was, you now have the knowledge to learn how to use this beneficial driving technique. As you learn, you will see a difference in how smooth your downshifts are when you traverse curvy back roads or negotiate winding mountain passes.  No matter the reason, your car and your wallet will thank you for mastering rev matching. Don’t give up if you don’t get it your first time out; keep trying until you have perfected the technique.

If you want to know more about rev matching, come into New Jersey State Auto today. If you are in the market for a used car check out our inventory of used BMW’s, Nissans, Audis, or view our used car deals.

 

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