Shifting while in a turn

I was wondering what the concensus is regarding shifting while in a turn. Here is the scenario. You are at a light waiting to turn. The light turns green you start off in first gear and at the apex of the turn you the engine is turning 6.5k RPM. I shift at this point to second gear. I have friends that say the shift to second should come after the turn.

 

that is absolutely wrong thing to do.. ever.. EVER

in some countries you can go to prison for doing that..

seriously.. don't do it..

HAHAH friend I am kidding.. it's fine pal you should not think twice about doing this!!!


in all seriousness.. don't do it.

 

WTF?

 

+1

 

If you are driving at the track, or racing where you are driving the car at almost the absolute limit of its handling capabilities, then the thing to do is to set up for the turn before the turn, and be steady and smooth through the turn. Any shifting (letting up on the gas, pressing the clutch, back on the gas) would upset the car and may cause you to spin out.

But, if you are taking off a a light on the streets, chances of you driving at the absolute limit 20 feet into the turn is probably zero. So, shifting in the turns causes no harm.

 

It depends. If you are loading up the suspension in the turn, then shifting gears could seriously upset the balance. Depending on the car and g-load you could end up spinning pretty easily. Definitely not something to try in say an older porsche!

 

ROTFLMAO!

 

If you're concerned about it , just launch from the stop light in 2nd gear.

 

If you're asking that question and driving any sportscar you're badly in need of some driver training!

These are basic questions of traction, weight transfer etc you need to understand at a more advanced level than simple rules as to what you should do.

 

you could always ask this Pilot if he shifted, then go from there.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8Oi28S88JY&feature=PlayList&p=217654883E72A678&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

 

Very true but driving on the street at a speed where shifting would cause a spin is going too fast to be safe IMHO. Regardless, it is a good habit to not shift in turns.

Dave

 

If you're starting from a stop, and hit redline by the "apex", you either have a 20 speed gearbox (super short first), or that's a very wide radius turn.
Or you're in a ricer when the turbo kicks in.

Presuming the wide radius turn, you should probably short shift first -- blip with first to get you off the line before turning, then quickly shift to second to power through the long curve.

 

I'd say the answer is to buy a car with an automatic transmission.

 

HAHAHA I found this hilarious!

In all seriousness, either short shift near the beginning of the turn or let off the gas and drive through the turn without accelerating too hard and shift after you're through.

 

Or a car with a higher redline.