gregd

Ok, the C7 isn't my first manual tranny, but it beats the heck out of those that have gone before. For that reason I'd like to learn to really drive it properly rather than just attempt to strip the teeth off the tranny gears.

I am trying to wrap my spastic synapses around the heel-toe process. Besides the walk and chew gum at the same time nature of the thing I am having a hard time getting my right foot to do what it should. It seems there is too big a space between the brake and accelerator pedal for me to reach the accelerator with the right edge of my right foot. I can hit the bottom of the accelerator with the bottom of my right foot and that seems to work better.

Besides that I tend to brake hard when I am trying to "blip". I finally gave up at Spring Mountain when the instructor kept telling me my brake lights were going on and off due to unsteady braking in the corner. Finally gave up there and went to Rev Match. Improved my driving tremendously.

Why not just use Rev Match? I don't know, why climb a mountain...?
I guess it's just the challenge and I'd like to learn to do it.

Anyone have any advice for a two left footed neophyte? In other words, what works for you?

Thanks.

mksz51

Life's too short for frustration - use the Rev Match.

KenHorse

Well.....heel-toe is only really needed on a track, IMHO. And on the C7, with its active handling and (especially the ELSD, if so equipped), heel-toe is pretty much superfluous. Again, IMHO

On the street, just "blip" the throttle with your right foot as you press on the clutch pedal to downshift. This brings the engine revs up more closely to match the new gear.

This is a habit I developed shortly after I started driving during the 70's. It's as automatic (pun intended?) as driving a stick is to me now. At least we don't need to double clutch!

(I've played a little with rev match but that's about it. My foot does just fine thanks.....

Woodson

[QUOTE=KenHorse;1587596466]Well.....heel-toe is only really needed on a track, IMHO./QUOTE]

Sorry, I have to disagree. That's true most of the time, but there are plenty of times on the street where it helps.

bimmerborn

OP,
Sit closer to the steering wheel. Knee closer to shifter so your ankle can turn easier. Lift your heel off floor board when grabbing the brakes. Leave the car in Sport mode for faster throttle response.
Like you, on day 2, I gave up in spring mountain and pulled the rev-match paddle there. I guess somehow I could not get it done properly in spring mountain. It was on the way back to Las Vegas that it hit me how to do it. It is actually more simple than you think it should be

stingraymyway

I have to agree with the other posters. Rev match works best for the street if you need it and heal toe is usually used on the track. There's YouTube videos on it and if you do want to play around with it, a good paid of Piloti driving shoes helps.

VETJAZZ

After working on it for 3 days at Ron Fellows,
Slide into the 21st century and let the computer do it, perfect every time.

JDM111er

I'm new to a manual tranny as well. I took some classes at Mid-Ohio race track before buying my vet. I suggest taking more classes so you can get the full enjoyment from your purchase.

mjcourt

It does take practice but I think it's worth the effort! It adds to the driving experience one you of the hang of it. Everyone does it a little different and when you drive different cars you will need to vary your technique. Any time there are no cars around practice. You'll get it. I now use it in my daily driving all the time.

Bill Dearborn

Nothing wrong with using Rev match. It worked great when I drove my son's C7. Actually got the rpms up more than I did when I did heel/toe. When I instruct Novices that haven't practiced heel/toe shifting I tell them not to down shift. Most tracks I have been on can be driven in 4th with maybe one easy shift to 3rd in some really slow corners. Those shifts can be done right at the apex of the turn where the car is going its slowest and the driver can make a slow easy shift.

Best place to practice heel/toe is on the street. Every time you slow for a traffic light or stop sign use heel/toe as you bring the car to a stop. Then when you get to a track it is natural. Rev Match takes all of the work out of it though.

Bill

Steve Snake Driver

Use your Spring Mountain discount and go to Ron Fellows. They'll teach you heel-toe.

talon90

It is easier to learn in the C7 than it was in the C6. They positioned the pedals better for that purpose. However, they also implemented the rev matching system and frankly, it works unbelievably well. I've used it now at two track days (Sebring and VIR) and even my instructors commented on how well it was working).

If you want to learn the mechanics of it, first turn on the rev match feature in the car and drive around. This will give you a good look at the timing of a perfect rev match. It all comes down to muscle memory, your hands and feet working in concert with each other and foot and leg position relative to the pedals. It still isn't easy for me manually but I can rev match like a pro driver with the automatic rev match system, LOL.

One classroom instructor (Chuck Hawks) at VIR recommeds using a highway and one of the clover leaf interchanges that you can find in more built up areas. Just keep going round and round and round and round on the exit ramps. Perfectly legal and it is a good opportunity to be able to accelerate and brake many times in quick succession to try it and get better at it. Obviously just try to avoid high traffic times.

WB6HRO

I guess that I'm too old school. I love having mastered the skill of "heel toe".

I even double clutch on all downshifts, a skill acquired driving a 53 Chevy with worn out syncro's. Every time I have tried to not double clutch downshifting I blow the shift LOL.

It just takes practice, lots of practice and makes the clutch last a longer time.

The technique for the C5, C6, and C7 are the same rolling the ball of your foot vs my 62 Corvette that was really true heel toe!

I was impressed that the C7 automatic rev matches too!

When I thought about this, it was a wise decision on GM's part as they will likely reduce the warranty claims on transmissions and drive line component's by having rev matching.

ersin

Is the throttle pedal hinged at that top or bottom? I ask because I used to drive Japanese cars (MR2, Miata, etc) with the throttle hinged at the top and I would use the "left-side-of-foot-brake, right-side-throttle" technique with my right foot off the floor. When I got my BMW the pedal was hinged at the bottom and I could not get enough movement this way. What I had to do was put my heel on the floor and actually use the real heel-toe (heel-throttle, ball-of-foot-brake) method. I was pushing closer to the fulcrum of the throttle which made all the difference and I was then able to rev-match.

Go ahead and use rev-match if you want. But really nailing a good downshift and matching revs perfectly (on your own without rev match) is almost an orgasmic experience. It is good that you are trying to learn.


Cheers.

KayJay

My method is to shift into neutral, blip the throttle, then downshift.

Woodson

Yes, I agree. On my M3 I use the right side of my right foot to blip the throttle. On my S2000 I used my heel. I prefer using my heel as that gives me better brake modulation control. I'm curious to see which I use in the C7.

Woodson

X100

ersin

I used to think heel-toe was just heel-toe for every car. But I've learned that you do have to adjust for differences. It's good. It's one of those things that endear one to a particular model.


Cheers.

Mdm23

Click one of the paddles on the side of the steering wheel. Done deal.

mjcourt

Next thing you know, people will be saying "just get an automatic"