>>>>>>>>>Except that I'm talking about coasting downhill, not downshifting uphill. If I need to slow down going downhill, I break. On level surfaces, depending on my speed, I'll often downshift to slow. By the way, why do 'slow down' and 'slow up' mean the same thing?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Wow. Coasting a vehicle with the clutch depressed at a high rate of speed is dangerous.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>If only there were hills here I would attempt a scientific test.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Did anyone notice there's only four of us who talk about clutch? Most of the rest are silent as if we're talking Klingon :).
>>>>>
>>>>>Figures - most people prolly opted for an automatic transmission....although it would be nice to have one those fine clutchless-paddle-shifting gizmos that's on the newer Ferrari's.
>>>>>
>>>>>As far as downshifiting goes - doing it uphill is not that difficult as doing so when going downhill or on a flat surface - IF you're doing it right that is. A nice technique called "heel-toe" - Again this is one of those things that people don't bother to learn that I think should be a requirement for even getting a license.
>>>>>http://www.edmunds.com/advice/youngdrivers/articles/119593/article.html
>>>>
>>>>Years ago, a driving instructor I knew sneered at automatic transmissions. I remember him saying, "You know the bumper cars at the exhibition? Those are automatics." Only he said it with a Russian accent.
>>>
>>>The funny thing is they now get better gas mileage than manual transmission models.
>>>
>>>Along the same lines -- i.e. things we have long known are true, except may not be true -- my daughter Emily passed along to me a tidbit she learned recently in one of those courtesy-of-the-state driving classes. (She ran a stop sign and then got pulled over for speeding; this class keeps it off her record as long as she gets no more tickets in a year). It being winter, the instructor offered a tip on driving in snow. It directly contradicted what I had told Emily many times -- feather the brakes in slippery conditions, don't press down firmly like on a dry road. The instructor said exactly the opposite. He said press down firmly and let the anti-lock brakes take over. They do it way more rapidly than you can, he said.
>>
>>General advice? This not a good idea.
>>if the anti lock interferes you are to fast (braking and driving ::))
>>forward-thinking is best in non emergency situations. My diesel does most of the work by engine.
>>for emergencies?
>>Depends on the anti lock system. It it is a numb on/off valve then no. This kind of anti lock was created to keep the direction. It was always clear that the brake distance will be longer. (Even braking with wheels stopped has more effort) Best (but this needs coolnes and training) is to press fast down to the anti lock and release until it brackes without it. This will be the maximum brake effort one can reach.
>>If the system is smart (IOW it controls the braking forces rather then switch them off) then, yes, hit it with all force.
>>
>
>I don't really disagree with anything you say. (Why would I want to get into a debate about cars with a German? <g>). A good driver will seldom be in a situation where emergency braking is needed in the first place. I think all the instructor meant was if you are in that situation, the ABS responds much more efficiently than the human leg can.

In an emergency I hamer both legs downward, what else? If there is time to think I try to readjust, but again this is tricky.

Have a nice weekend, anybody.