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6M GXP Shifting Habits

453 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Willie Ute
Curious about how you M6 guys tend to shift in normal driving. I'll describe some of what I do.

Starting out from a stop with plenty of open road ahead and a 45-50 cruising speed, I'll often go 2-3-5. I'll use fourth if I'm going to cruise at 40 or lesser.

Starting from a stop with cars in front of me, I almost always start in first.

Rounding a right turn I usually use third, whereas in my LS1 Firebird it requires second. The GXP gearing is noticeably shorter.

There also so much more low end part-throttle torque; the LS3 pulls well from about 1000rpm, whereas the LS1 needs about 1400. I just don't need to shift as often.
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I usually row through them all just because I enjoy it. Occasionally I will do 1-3 as my 2nd has the bump grind.
I skip gears on the way up if I am holding my latte, texting and doing my man bun at the same time
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Upshifting, I typically do not use the clutch for 3-4, 4-5 or 5-6.

When I was taught how to drive a manual (a long, long time ago), it was explained to me that it is illegal to coast in neutral and to always be in a gear as realistically possible at all times. With that in mind, I was taught to always downshift which to present time, I still do.
Upshifting, I typically do not use the clutch for 3-4, 4-5 or 5-6.

When I was taught how to drive a manual (a long, long time ago), it was explained to me that it is illegal to coast in neutral and to always be in a gear as realistically possible at all times. With that in mind, I was taught to always downshift which to present time, I still do.
I guess I drive illegally a lot! Between the tr6060 in the GXP and the T5 in the tbird I do a lot of coasting in neutral as there is about a 5 mile downhill stretch from the beltway back into town. Cars will reach ~ 60 or so (35 speed limit) when shifted to neutral at ~ 30. Have to brake several times to keep under 40.

1, 3, 5 in the GXP mostly... tbird needs all gears since it's a whimpey turbo 4... unless going downhill ;)
I would love to see an officer try to prove that one in court after writing the ticket 😂
That was a long time ago and in Texas where I grew up. A time when most cars had four wheel drum brakes. Who knows what the law is nowadays.
Upshifting, I typically do not use the clutch for 3-4, 4-5 or 5-6. When I was taught how to drive a manual (a long, long time ago), it was explained to me that it is illegal to coast in neutral and to always be in a gear as realistically possible at all times. With that in mind, I was taught to always downshift which to present time, I still do.
Interesting. While I've been aware of clutchless shifting since the 60's, I'll have to try this on the GXP. Lift throttle/disengage clutch is so instinctive, however, that I have had a hard time speed shifting even when consciously trying to do so.

I too heard that coasting in neutral was illegal back in the day (grew up in CA) but I always do it when I see traffic is stopped at a light up ahead and other situations. But there are no hills where I live in Kansas, so no big risk for serious speed gains.
Back in the late 70s, I raced a friend of mine on a deserted section of pavement miles out of the city limits. I fried my clutch that afternoon and when I told my friend what happened and that I would have to get a tow, he said, "No you don't." He showed me then how to shift without the clutch. He even said to avoid stops as I would have to turn off the engine and would need to use the starter to get moving, which is possible but try to avoid. It got me home.

Then in the early 80s, I drove a long haul semi for a short while. It was a 13-speed and I had to double clutch to shift.... or shift without the clutch. Double clutch or no clutch? It was a no brainer. Using no clutch except at stops became second nature and made driving the rig so much more enjoyable.

So shifting without the clutch is second nature to me and I continue to do this to this day. In 2009 when I taught my daughter to drive, I showed her how to do this and my practice of not coasting if possible. Years later, I noticed how she never kept up with my practices, lol....
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