Black GT

To do it properly you have to ease it slowly (with a slight pause while in neutral) when the synchros match speeds without using the clutch. Don't try it at high RPMs. If you do it right you won't even notice a difference (other than slower shifting). It all about the timing.

I can do it well enough on my F-150 to the point where passengers can't tell I didn't use the clutch. Then when I tell them "look, I'm not using my left foot" they say "how did you do that?"

r3velation

f150's came in stick?!? that's awesome.

2007calispecial

X2, can shift without grinding or missing with my beater car.176,000 miles and still a stock clutch.
I can do it in the mustang, but im usually using the clutch considering its brand new.

Norm Peterson

This much is reasonably normal, or at least is not abnormal. It only means that all the transmission internals (gears, synchros & hubs)are lined up close enough to let the different gears engage without putting up a fight.

06Saleen3V - the clutch is engaged except when you push the clutch pedal down. Whether the engine is running or not. Otherwise you'd never be able to leave the car in gear on a slight slope without also having to pull the handbrake to keep it from rolling.


As BlackGT has said, it's certainly do-able, and it is a useful skill to have in a pinch (yes, I've been through a couple of clutch linkage failures). But if you aren't pretty close to perfect, every time, your transmission is taking a beating. Synchros in particular.

Pulling it out of whatever gear that you're in only requires that you take the load off the driveline. Lifting off the gas slightly is usually all that's necessary. Actually, anybody who frequently hurries their shifts for any reason (but still lifts off the gas going through the neutral) probably does a little of this without realizing it.

It's getting it into the next gear up that requires fairly precise timing and a bit of "feel".


It's even possible to downshift while driving without using the clutch, but unless you truly understand what rev-matching is all about I will guarantee that you get this one wrong almost every time.


Norm

GidyupGo

Ride with a trucker. He'll show you how.

Margarita Girl

My 3rd gear gives me trouble sometimes even using the clutch.[&:]

digitalmixx187

I use the clutch to take off in 1st and then i can rev match it all the way to 5th gear, at or around 2000rpm, you can just slide it into the next highest gear.

GidyupGo

I once saw Richard Petty drive almost a 500 mile race without a clutch back in the 70's. Had to kill it coming into the pits, but they just pushed him to jump start it.

HazardSports

I learned clutchless shifting when the clutch cable broke in my first car. Used to shut off the car and coast to the red light - put it in first - start it up in 1st with a little gas and buck slightly in first till I can rev match the next gear changes. It was easy to do when I was paying attention and TRYING; but, never did it easily and by accident. I used to let the gear I'm in rev a bit higher than usual and after slipping it out of gear (off the throttle) hold moderate tension on the shifter until the synchros decided when they'd let it slip into the next gear. If I short shifted - I would have to blip the throttle back to the higher RPM to allow the synchros to rev match for me, (always have to blip on a downshift). After getting used to watching for the RPM I was able to do it much quicker. Used to di it in myCRX and in my 89 mustang gt 5.0 T5.

What still AMAZES me is my friend who will drive my 06 Mustang GT - mash his foot on the throttle - never let off the gas - and upshift through the gears using the clutch. Precision shifts. I Tried it once - missed the gear - was afraid to do it again.

06Saleen3V

You are correct. No more posts for me when I havent had my coffee [&:]