Rev Matching & Gear Changing

[Taurus]

http://www.drivingfast.net/car-control/rev-matching.htm

Rev matching and gear shifting

Introduction

Each gear has an effective operating range of speeds which depend on the rev range of the engine. The faster the engine rotates, the quicker you can go – up to the point when you need to change up a gear. Within the operational rotational speeds of the engine, there is a range of optimum efficiency known as the 'power band', and this is where the fastest acceleration can be obtained (see Diagram 1).

Most gearboxes are designed so that when you change up a gear when accelerating, the next gear will be at the start of the engine's power band (see Diagram 2). This design provides maximum acceleration all the way up to the top speed of the car.
Diagram 2: Comparing the power bands in two gears

At most speeds, a selection of gears can be used (see Diagram 3).
Diagram 3: Gear choice at different speeds

In the illustration above the driver could choose second, third or forth gear. In second gear the engine speed would be at the top of the power band, not leaving room for much useful acceleration until the rev limiter is activated. In forth the revs would be too low, leading to sluggish performance (but perhaps decent fuel economy). In third gear the engine would be at start of the power band providing maximum acceleration – this would be the choice of the performance driver.

Changing up / up shifting

Lower gears provide greater acceleration due to a combination of the gearing and higher engine speeds. Therefore, when accelerating hold on the lower gears for as long as you can, but be careful not to hit the rev limiter (as this slows you down). Only change up when the engine has passed through the upper limits of the power band, not before.
Changing down / down shifting

When approaching a corner, you need to select a gear which will provide maximum acceleration at the exit, and this gear needs to be engaged before entering the corner. This means braking to the speed where you can safely turn into the bend, then shifting before turning in. Gear choice is especially important here – ideally you need to select a gear which will cause the engine speed to increase to a sensible point within the power band so that plenty of power is available when accelerating out of the turn. However if you do select the correct gear and let out the clutch swiftly, three things will happen:

• Significant levels of engine braking will occur
• In extreme cases, the wheels can lock up
• Forward weight transfer will occur

None of these are good when you're trying to maintain control of a car driving at the limits of grip. Rev matching is the solution.
Introduction to rev matching

Rev matching is a technique which should be second nature if you want to be quick on the track.
When is it used? When changing down to create smooth, fast gear changes in a car with synchromesh*.
* Almost all modern cars have synchromesh, if you don't have it fitted you will need to 'double declutch'
What rev matching does:

• Reduces stress on the driveline
• Prevents forward weight transfers when down shifting
• Reduces engine braking and chances of wheel lock

Note: On the track, use the brakes to slow down and the engine to accelerate. Engine braking is not as efficient, and will not slow you down quickly enough for track use. If you have time to use engine braking, you're not going as quickly as you could.

[Taurus]

How to rev match when changing down:

1. Rev matching is mostly used to change down in anticipation of a corner. Diagram 4 (below) shows a driver accelerating in third gear, approaching the top of the power band.
Diagram 4: Accelerating down a straight in third gear

Show me what this diagram means
2. As you approach a corner, brake until you have reached a safe speed to turn into the bend – engine speed will drop as road speed decreases. In Diagram 5 below the driver is in still in third gear, but is planning to select second. Engine speed has now dropped to the point where a change to second would be possible.
Diagram 5: Braking before a corner



3. While still on the straight, press the clutch in order to change down. This disengages the engine from the wheels and thus the engine speed starts to drop. The desired gear is second, but Diagram 6 shows that at the current road speed, the engine revs will need to increase in order to mesh smoothly when releasing the clutch.
Diagram 6: Pressing the clutch in preparation to change down

4. Select a gear which will provide decent acceleration at the exit of the corner, in Diagram 7 the driver has selected second gear. Simultaneously use the throttle to increase the engine speed in order to match the revs in second gear to the road speed.
Diagram 7: Pressing the clutch, and selecting a lower gear

Good read . . . :car:

[Taurus]

5. Release the clutch smoothly and progressively, then start to accelerate out of the corner. If done well, there should be no jolt as the clutch is released.
Diagram 8: Second gear is selected, engine revs match road speed and the clutch is let out.


You don't need to be 100% accurate when raising the engine revs – you'll improve dramatically with practice.

Keep some practice to perfect it

[kurby]

does it mean that before pressing on the gas pedal you should be in your target gear? and does it follow that you should be inside the turn to rev match?

[SiRbossR]

there is this technique relative to rev matchung; heel&toe.

[burnthem]

yes heel and toe has the same concept as the rev matching but alot faster. commonly the heel and toe are use by car racer but it's a good practice when city driving.

[Chikselog]

Question, hindi ba mas mabilis masusunog/masisira ang clutch mo pag madalas mo ginagawa to? Instead na change to lower gear then release the clutch slowly?

[10323015]

yes heel and toe has the same concept as the rev matching but alot faster. commonly the heel and toe are use by car racer but it's a good practice when city driving.

i believe you can't harness its benefits in city driving, unless you rev the engine uber hard most of the time, and stay in there most of the time.

you'd get better response by powershifting.

both will shorten the clutch's service life though.

[SiRbossR]

Question, hindi ba mas mabilis masusunog/masisira ang clutch mo pag madalas mo ginagawa to? Instead na change to lower gear then release the clutch slowly?

Mas mabilis magkakaroon ng wear and clutch if you keep doing that.
RevMatching is more proper.