What is it ???
It's a performance-oriented technique of down-shifting while braking that requires the driver to use all three pedals of a Manual-Transmission car simultaneously.
To perform a heel-and-toe downshift, the driver brakes with the toe of his right foot and: while continuing to brake: uses the heel or the side of the same foot to blip the throttle and raise engine rpm as he downshifts.
The left foot operates the clutch pedal in the normal fashion. The sequence is as follows: brake with the right toe; depress the clutch with the left foot; shift to neutral; while continuing to brake, blip the throttle with the side or the heel of the right foot to raise rpm; shift to a lower gear; let the clutch out; release the brakes. The technique is difficult to master, but after practice it can be performed in less than a second.
This process is best for smooth power flow and long transmission life.
How to do it ???
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to heel-and-toe downshift.
It will explain how to shift from fourth gear to third gear, though the technique will work for any downshift.
1. Begin braking for the corner with your right foot. The location of the pedals and the size of your foot will dictate where you position your foot on the pedal, but most likely it should be canted a little to the right, closer to the throttle pedal.
2. Push in the clutch with your left foot.
3. This is the hard part. With your right foot still applying pressure to the brakes, roll the outside edge of your foot outward and downward to touch the throttle pedal. Use the outside of your right foot to blip the throttle ( blipping the throttle means temporarily raising the engine rpms to match the wheel speed) The exact amount of revs needed is dependent on a variety of factors, but it is usually between 1,000 rpm to 2,000 rpm more than the current engine rpm for a one-gear downshift.
4. Move the shifter to third gear.
5. Release the clutch with your left foot.
Enjoy !
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It's a performance-oriented technique of down-shifting while braking that requires the driver to use all three pedals of a Manual-Transmission car simultaneously.
To perform a heel-and-toe downshift, the driver brakes with the toe of his right foot and: while continuing to brake: uses the heel or the side of the same foot to blip the throttle and raise engine rpm as he downshifts.
The left foot operates the clutch pedal in the normal fashion. The sequence is as follows: brake with the right toe; depress the clutch with the left foot; shift to neutral; while continuing to brake, blip the throttle with the side or the heel of the right foot to raise rpm; shift to a lower gear; let the clutch out; release the brakes. The technique is difficult to master, but after practice it can be performed in less than a second.
This process is best for smooth power flow and long transmission life.
How to do it ???
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to heel-and-toe downshift.
It will explain how to shift from fourth gear to third gear, though the technique will work for any downshift.
1. Begin braking for the corner with your right foot. The location of the pedals and the size of your foot will dictate where you position your foot on the pedal, but most likely it should be canted a little to the right, closer to the throttle pedal.
2. Push in the clutch with your left foot.
3. This is the hard part. With your right foot still applying pressure to the brakes, roll the outside edge of your foot outward and downward to touch the throttle pedal. Use the outside of your right foot to blip the throttle ( blipping the throttle means temporarily raising the engine rpms to match the wheel speed) The exact amount of revs needed is dependent on a variety of factors, but it is usually between 1,000 rpm to 2,000 rpm more than the current engine rpm for a one-gear downshift.
4. Move the shifter to third gear.
5. Release the clutch with your left foot.
Enjoy !
