HOW TO DOWNSHIFT: Rev-matching and Heel-toe in an e46 BMW

[@Maisaranator]

I’m really happy with the long way you have come through and the progress you made for the channel through years 🎉

[@alexmanitiu21]

I’ve been driving manual since I got my first car (e46 325i) back in September and I was able to master heel-toes after about 3 months and man oh man is it satisfying. It’s honestly more satisfying to nail a nice crisp downshift than it is to upshift. Great video!

[@rajahnicunningham1222]

That thing about downshift satisfaction is true

[@jbhass]

I've driven manuals for over 10 years and never even knew about rev matching or heel-toe. Looks insanely difficult but I'm going to give it a go tomorrow! Thanks for the straight forward video

[@shanks0307]

Did you get it yet

[@wwaxaww5090]

Did you get it yet

[@sheogorathdevil140]

Did you get it yet

[@TheCar-diologist]

Did you get it yet

[@DjBrOwNi3]

Did you get it yet

[@TanTran-dr8pj]

did u just assume my number of feet? Triggered

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Tan Tran best comment on my channel So far...

[@ellenorbjornsdottir1166]

Get a hand throttle if you only have 1 foot

[@mrshab]

It's ma'am

[@shanejzx1002]

Wait this comment was 6 yrs ago lmao

[@thekrimsonchin6023]

@@shanejzx1002 Ahead of its time

[@joeyteter9383]

I drive and love my little 6-speed, even though it’s not really a “performance vehicle” I think it’s still fun to drive. And although I know how to drive it I’m always looking for ways to improve and downshifting is the one area I really want to improve on. So when I go out for normal day to day stuff tomorrow I’m going to give this a try, you explained it well and it seems like a very efficient way to downshift. Thanks for helping me out!

[@freddymontes1336]

It's been about 5 years that I have been driving a manual and the last 1.5 years I've tried heel-toe shifting but I had given up. I thought my civic or my sentra just wouldn't cooperate with me. This video has given me hope and clearly explained the little details. I am sure I will get this down eventually.

[@brandon_buildsDIY]

What year Sentra you have?

[@freddymontes1336]

@@brandon_buildsDIY I got a 2004

[@greendayhdtv2837]

so how did it go? you managed to perfect it? :D

[@freddymontes1336]

@@greendayhdtv2837 not exactly mastered it but I got it down where I can show off to my friends lol

[@waclosh]

the best video on this topic out there. I hated all the videos of kids in subies and minis, who have no idea about the mechanics of a car and probably mess up their shifts all the time. I actually taught rev-matching AND heel-toe to my wife years ago. She is so proud when she can show off in front of men.

[@ThrottleHouse]

Thanks a lot! Share with anyone you think might need some extra help.

[@gunny_zky]

Yours is the first video to actually explain the purpose of heel toe shifting. Great video and awesome explanation. Thank you!

[@APLUSDAGREAT]

My guy,out of all the videos I watched. This is the one everyone needs to watch!

[@yeseniamartinez3651]

This video is so helpful! I was relived when you said you were going to skip the stuff about "all the wonders" of driving a manual car, because it is so true, so many people spend half the video listing the reasons a manual is better and why the prefer it and why they love it, THANKS BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO TEACH ME HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL CAR! Also I appreciate the camera angle with the feet, in my head when I heard "blip" the throttle I thought a light tap but you push it quite far but fast, and I was able to hear the engine rev and see the shift (others are too preoccupied with making their car sound loud all the time).

[@Gabriel-fb8ng]

Yesenia Martinez you fine as hell

[@guiso1973]

What you drive Yesenia?

[@Ggg-ef6vb]

Gabriel Zaragoza simpin at its finest

[@logwind]

As someone who has been driving a manual and rev matching for many years, but is just starting to heel toe, I can say everything this guy says is spot on.

[@SpeedlPN]

nice to see that you are taking care of your beard

[@odenssyndrome992]

I.. just... WHAT ARE THOSE

[@jacobturner7742]

cesar his shoes make his feet look like big ol rats

[@rodgerjontre7563]

Those are my crocs

[@2010GT70B2]

I literally said the same thing

[@bbbmw]

Yea but those woofy hairy legs 😸

[@thenumberofthebeast2]

Them young fresh ass Great Whites.

[@UrbanSophistic]

Your video was a lifesaver. Couldn't get rev matching technique down in my 335i and I had gotten totally bummed about it. But your small tip to keep my hand off the shifter until I was ready to shift was the breakthrough I needed. Went out after watching this vid a few times and nailed 3rd, 4th and 5th. Another big help was that downshifting to 2nd takes almost double the RPM as 3rd (or about 1800 more). My revs rise very slowly, so I realized I need to stab the throttle instead of tapping it lightly. Next up I'll try the heel-toe as I need to brake 90% of the time when I'm downshifting. Blame Northern VA traffic and congestion.

[@ThrottleHouse]

Glad I could help!

[@SOBShoots]

As a fellow northern va manual driver this resonates hard 😂 the traffic out here is wild

[@MrFishrr]

Rev matching is one of those things I've been doing naturally without being taught. Now it's good to see I'm actually doing it right and the reason why I felt it was natural. Great video.

[@martinmaksimov367]

We need more of these on Extra Throttle House, teach us how to drive properly!

[@rumplestilskin007]

This is the best explanation and video on the subject I have seen. Good job mate! 👍🏼

[@FixItRyan]

Can't believe that this is where ThrottleHouse was just 3 years ago!

[@valenciaetc]

subbed. awesome and clear explanation. Ive only been driving manual for 7 months on a FRS so this helped a lot.

[@ihsanhussain3292]

Man... i just love the way you explain... Awesome work. 👍🏼

[@mercoboulotdodo]

Really good video man! I just subscribed. You explained it so well! I also like your mentality :) I also got a e46 so it's related :)

[@ThrottleHouse]

Great! Glad to have you here.

[@hklf]

I watched a lot of heel toe instructions videos on youtube and this is the best one so far

[@davidhoulden5791]

I was taught (long ago) that when you push the clutch pedal that is called "putting the clutch out" and when you remove your foot you are "putting the clutch in". Never learned to heal toe but we were taught to "double clutch" when downshifting to match the revs.

[@thumpertorque_]

I learned all these kinds of techniques on my racing simulator and now I have a very good idea about everything. I can now buy my first manual E46 and I'm confident I will be able to drive it without messing up the transmission. You have really helpful videos on your channel BTW.

[@stub4488]

What racing sim do you use?

[@fantasyguru26]

For the past 10+ years I have been driving automatic transmissions. For 20 years prior to that I drove manual transmissions. How is it that I had never heard of rev matching or heel to toe? Thank you for your explanation and exhibit of both techniques. Makes perfect sense.

[@-boost-]

it would have been nice to see the RPM as well

[@Shot_City313]

That would be a very difficult thing to film in an m3.. lol

[@playcer8388]

@@Shot_City313 i don't watch a lot of his vids but, is that really an m3? Cause that's a sedan right there

[@MrLeVip]

@@playcer8388 m3 is a sedan

[@Shot_City313]

MrLeVip m3 is a coupe .. coupe is 2 door/ they never made a 4 door e46 m3 but they did make a 4 door e46 just not the m3

[@playcer8388]

@@MrLeVip nah the e46 m3 was only available as a 2 door

[@karlawson]

I gotta say, man. Love your fellow canadian, humble and informed attitude. subscribed!

[@SowedCastelli]

You a hero, a real gentleman and a dude. Man! Thank you.

[@laxitives9787]

Great video thanks for skipping the bs and getting straight to the point 👍

[@mthorn572]

Wow!! Surprise Vintage Thomas in my hunt for a heel and toe video!! Love this xxx

[@TimatorA]

I love my e46 and this is an excellent channel! looking forward to more ☺

[@rachellewinson9458]

old video new commenter... thank you for explaining rpms and that you need to accelerate when downshifting so revs match rpms... if I'm understanding correctly.

[@matt_yuan]

Throttle House has come a long, long way.

[@anjingkampung]

Nicely explained. It also helps that you’re articulate. Cheers.

[@josiahthibodeaux]

This is so addicting, you did a great job explaining too.

[@senormofeta6726]

FUCKING BRILLIANT!!! This is THE defenative explanation of heel-toe ever! The split screen helps tremendously. I had to watch this a couple times to "get it". Dude... a channel you'd like is Engineering Explained" Thank you you so much for your video.

[@podolanko7]

to be honest, you don't need to manually match the revs when downshifting, the synchro is there for it. This is just to make it more smoother and more fun.

[@svenlazic]

I like you i can see that you know what are you talking about, i actually know how to heel and toe i just like to watch these videos to see how people explain. Btw i drive E36

[@DOOMLORDHOKAGE]

So this is where it started...niiiiiiice

[@benkubenku1]

Heel and toe is for guys with small legs. If you are lifting weights your calves and thighs will feel it...If you just finished doing squats.

[@maziku4749]

i always wondered why only sometimes i could smoothly downshift from 3rd to 2nd yet 5th to 4th and 4th to 3rd im always good. i never understood the rev match thing. ill be practicing this now

[@gustavopaz1313]

I guess that when u downshift to seconde gear, it doesn't feel smooth because the torque is high, whereas in 3rd and 4th the torque is lower, so u don't really feel the transition

[@ekimhey]

I feel the same way :(

[@Franko384]

The rev difference is probably higher from third to second. So you have to give it more gas while rev matching, when you shift from third to second, than when from 4th to 3rd. Atleast thats the case with my car.

[@muddyrelic3009]

Worn hi top vans or converse are the best driving shoes, i have like 3 mm of sole left in my Vans😅

[@2Spookeh4Me]

Vans are horrible looking and zero comfort. Converse are an elite all around shoe.

[@eliotsmith1975]

There are plenty of videos on this, but most are not articulated very well. Thanks for the tips, Thomas!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Very helpful! I am having my SMG swapped to manual 6 speed on my E46 M3 and have to relearn driving a manual again.

[@unclejesse1979]

Good job explaining and showing how it's done.

[@josephcarr2742]

Good vid. You took your time and explained it well.

[@CaptainBlitz]

What if you guys made an update version of this on Extra Throttle House

[@milesonewheelwinter]

I've been racing and road crossing for several years and I have to say that this video is excellent. I don't want to sound like a know-it-all but I am already the way I feel toe and I've been practicing it for about 5 years. It took me several years to be able to do it correctly let alone perfectly which I still not cannot do :-) thank you for the video and then put it was very encouraging. Makes me want to mount a camera to my pedals. Are you aware of any adjustments that can be made to set the throttle closer to the brake or perhaps vice versa? I have a 14 SRT8 Challenger

[@twinturborotary_diecast]

just subbed ... your explanation is very clear. watched many of your videos

[@Muggses]

Is that the Nürburgring on his shoes or am I crazy

[@Dragoslav_MD]

Puma logo.

[@sdmyhussein4680]

"That's casual," - James May

[@Brickcellent]

Are you fucking joking me

[@Chimera6297]

I drive in skate shoes all the time, no big deal. in fact I prefer it, it's the most comfortable

[@theseal666]

I note that you do not release the clutch when in neutral and blip both the engine AND the input shaft in the gearbox and THEN depressing the clutch again and shifting into the lover gear....

[@Mang0jo]

Watching this before I buy my first manual car. 06 Nissan 350z😁

[@theclementho]

Thanks to the KZbin algorithm for popping pre-“And I’m James” Throttle House video

[@fkporsche1]

Great instructional video. Like the description on screen. A slow motion would help beginner viewers. 🦅🦅🇺🇸

[@nonofyourbusinessnonofyour5435]

Wow a lot to have your mind trained to do one thing with left and something else with other foot at the same time

[@jalilrogers9562]

Thank you bruh dope clip, much needed. 😌

[@bennyblak]

DH, I like your videos dude! Pls keep making more. Btw, Nice beard!

[@bennyblak]

Sorry. Meant TH.

[@ThrottleHouse]

Thanks! Lots more to come.

[@animoSolo]

Great video! .. i drive an mk4 so i don't think i can make full use of these techniques yet. But sure that helps make a difference. Thanks.

[@RedNineTeen]

Do you blip the throttle in neutral or as soon as your pushing th clutch and start shifting ?

[@SuperRodification]

Yes. Yes. Yes. YES! Well done Sir!!!

[@mikereinhardt5882]

Thanks again, so helpful.

[@brandonroopnarine898]

Your video is actually very helpful thank you. Most people don't know how to explain or show as many examples as you do. But quick question, when you downshift multiple gears at a time when coming to a stop, can you clutch in rev match every gear and then release the clutch? Or do you have to clutch in rev match and RELEASE THE CLUTCH everytime for each gear?

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Brandon Roopnarine the first option is essentially pointless. You would be better off just going right to the lower gear and rev matching for that gear. Careful you don't over rev. And consider learning to double clutch because skipping gears a lot can wear your synchros.

[@playcer8388]

7:26 yes that definitely happens to beginners 😂

[@slowone6476]

Mee Lol

[@dsher503]

What a legend!

[@Daniel-rw2gy]

Excellent demo!!

[@albertkarantzas300]

Thank you so much beautiful soul, you are magnificent.

[@bethanygallagher7487]

Right Im a learner driver in the UK, I'm obviously not gonna be doing this heal toe thing in my exam, so how do I change gears smoothly when, for example, Im in 3rd gear and Im going up a hill and I need to change into 2nd? for the life of me i cant do it, cause if I'm off the accelerator too long then ima start rolling down the hill haha

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Bethany well try and be in the right gear before you get to the hill so you have enough torque to get up. Otherwise you can just shift into the lower gear and slowly let out the clutch as you give it some gas. You should never be going slow enough in third gear so that when you let off the gas you roll backwards.

[@bethanygallagher7487]

E46 Reviews with T.H. Ok thankyou for your help (and the videos)! I'll give it ago next time

[@smartdrivetest]

Hi Bethaniii - I suspect by now you have a lot of experience driving your manual car. The best way to smoothly downshift on a hill with a manual transmission is to double clutch. And the way you do that is clutch, through the gear selector into neutral, throttle up, clutch in and pull the selector into the next lower gear. By throttling up between shifts, this will match the road speed of the higher gear by having a higher engine speed in a lower transmission gear. This will give you smooth shift. All the best, Cheers Rick

[@nastynate9529]

Just be very smooth and slow letting out the clutch when downshifting. Even with a fairly large change in rpms the car wont unsettle, it may not be great for your car... but rev matching is not necessary to downshift providing you use proper clutch release (double clutch is old school and pointless in modern cars made in the 80's until present, remember you have syncro in your gear box to manage this). Generally I only rev match when performance driving, otherwise in daily traffic I won't require to add throttle, just a smooth release of the clutch pedal. The great thing about doing it this way, is for a new driver it will give you complete control over the brakes. You can operate the brake and clutch together to slow the car down when approaching a stop or slowing down in traffic. If you get into a situation with a very steep uphill and need to shift down, just apply the throttle lightly as you release the clutch pedal, it will slip the clutch a bit, but will keep you moving. Hope this helps, it can be a big help to find a hill somewhere like a driveway to practice the clutch control rolling up and down until you master the feel for your car.

[@nickamarit]

I always need to downshift into 1st for steep and tight uphill hairpins in the mountains that I drive. I feel that 2nd won't be able to pull the car up.

[@HaloXKing7852]

Love your channel bro keep it up, recently got my first car (e46 330ci stick shift of course) and was wondering about heel-toeing in it because the pedals are so close together..

[@HoonForLife]

Trying to do this with my m52 and it's slow revs great... also I double clutch so it's even more to thing about yay!

[@cmkm54]

Hoon For Life Same! 99 323i!

[@Therealburds]

dude, thank you very much for the help.

[@isrv]

This is my first week actually driving stick after claiming I could drive it for so lonng but I’m all ears on this one lol vtec 😝

[@kumarganeswaran1723]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@smartdrivetest]

Hi Throttle House - unless you're a racing, heel-toe and rev matching have no place in everyday driving of a manual transmission. Professional race car drivers spend thousand of hours mastering and perfecting these skills. All the best, Cheers Rick

[@ThrottleHouse]

These are valuable skills that you can use every day. And they are still well within the abilities of the average enthusiast.

[@smartdrivetest]

Hi TH - thanks for your response. I'm think we'll have to agree to disagree about these skills being "within the abilities of the average enthusiast." As you said, this requires a lot of practice. As well, it should be stated that these are not skills required for drivers learning to drive a manual transmission. Unfortunately, I get a lot of questions about this with new drivers taking up manual transmission, and these are simply not skills they need to learn at the beginning. As well, I think that double clutching is easier on your drive train and vehicle when downshifting. Last, it might be beneficial to explain that heel-toe downshifting is to maintain control of the race car by not shifting the vehicle's equilibrium when cornering and preventing oversteering and loss of control. All the best, Cheers Rick

[@TheChrismccarthy2000]

@@smartdrivetest Hey Rick did rev match downshifting hurt you? Did it break up with you and now you are bitter? I use these techniques everyday when driving my manual transmission car around town. Its not just "race cars" as you state. What if a driver is coming up to a tight 90 degree turn on a wet and rainy day, and after downshifting from 3rd to 2nd releases the clutch only to have the vehicles weight shift, forcing traction control to kick in, which may startle that driver into slamming on their brakes, and now the driver behind them just rear ended them, and someone might be dead. This was all caused by not rev match downshifting.

[@Brickcellent]

Rev matching is definitely a good technique every driver should learn, especially if you're an Uber, taxi or bus driver. All make for a smoother ride for your passengers.

[@stevenyerry2209]

I got heel toeing in about 4 hlurs of practice nowni use it all the time lol espwcially handy since I have a 4 banger

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Thanks James!! 🙏

[@keltecdan]

I can do this but on a motorcycle. I haven’t tried this on a car yet since I don’t have access to a manual car but I guess the concept is the same.

[@ArturoGarzaID]

So you can still slightly have your foot on the brake when you've completed the maneuver?

[@rajahnicunningham1222]

Yeah you can. You can continue braking if you’re coming to a stop or something.

[@lucaoldlions8102]

Hello i'm new fan, but this e46 is Benzina/gasoline or diesel?

[@KNR90]

When I was 16 I learned to drive a manual. Apparently Incorrectly. I do this driving huge trucks because it's needed. This is half he process of shifting. Except you cut out missed gears

[@asdfadsf5453]

Hi, noob here, I notice my problem is after the blip, I have the let off on the clutch quick or my rpms drop back to where they were before the downshift is complete. I find myself holding the throttle for pretty long instead of blipping.

[@Salad360]

I've been doing it CLUTCH IN, SHIFT, BLIP. instead of CLUTCH IN, BLIP, SHIFT. I didn't know that was wrong because most of my shifts seem smooth.

[@Fetaldareaper1414]

Either way works as long as you do them both before letting the clutch out.

[@drhee9]

ok ive seen a couple of these videos and im not sure whats happening.. Are you (in 3rd) 1. Enganging clutch, 2. blipping, 3. changing gear and 4. releasing clutch 5.reengaging throttle? Or are you blipping> changing gear> and JUST releasing the clutch without throttle?

[@rdu239]

The lower the gear to downshift the deeper you need to blip the gas. Downshifting to 1st gear is pointless because no matter how well your timing is at rev match you will always get an awkward and sloppy feeling of slowdown, if its absolutely necessary like unfamiliar t-junctions or speed humps, then just slowdown (brake then clutch in) till your speed drastically slow down then you shift to first gear

[@stevess7777]

Yep, the engine braking/gear ratio in first is just too short to get right.

[@rembo183]

What your opinion on the auto rev matching on most newer cars like the Mustang and Porsche

[@venerated]

Thank you for making this video. All of this really clicked for me! So when you're coming to a complete stop, you just hold the clutch in the entire time while you downshift, is that right?

[@ThrottleHouse]

If you push the clutch in as your coming to a stop you don't have to select any gears as the drivetrain is not engaged. You downshift so that if you need to pull away after slowing down you will be in the correct gear. You have to release the clutch after selecting a lower gear so the wheels are engaged if that's what you need to do. If you are coming to a full stop push the clutch in shift to neutral and then just stop. Select first before you pull away then off you go.

[@sammmycheez99]

Is it okay to downshift from 6-4 instead of 6-5-4? Or is that causing unnecessary wear?

[@ThrottleHouse]

It is technically "okay" BUT over time you will eventually wear the synchros in that gear. You can "double clutch" to do this,- so clutch out after you clutched to pull it out of 6th, rev match, then clutch in and pop it into the lower gear, then clutch out. This will spin the input shaft up to the correct rpm for the lower gear so you don't have to force the synchromesh to do the work for you in the transmission.

[@sammmycheez99]

+E46 Reviews with T.H. Ok so just to be clear, it will wear the sychros even if I rev match? Time to start double clutching I guess

[@ThrottleHouse]

+sammmycheez99 rev matching only raises the engine speed. If you let the clutch out when you rev match (double clutching) you will not only raise the engine speed but you will also raise the input shaft speed at the same time. This will better mesh the gear speed for the lower gear. Again this is only really a big deal if you skip gears a lot and/or want to really prolong the longevity of your synchros. Normal down shifts (5 to 4) will be fine with a normal rev match. And the occasional gear skip won't really hurt. But why not learnt To double clutch? That's some real race car stuff. It's a really cool technique and when you nail it with a heel toe you feel like a hero. (Remember not to over rev, if you just jam it into 2nd from 4th then let out the clutch you can seriously harm your engine. Make sure you slow the road speed down significantly before you let the clutch out.).

[@senormofeta6726]

sammycheez Naw, dude, you're cool. UPSHIFTING from 6 to R (Race mode) can cause unnecessary wear. Please post a video of this. It'll go viral.

[@rdu239]

SLOWDOWN, slowdown until your speed is that of 4th gear 40mph - 35mph range before you shift to 4th gear.

[@faizshaikh3830]

So you blip the throttle and downshift at the same time?

[@maximusseven2267]

3:52 that a good point but. what if i hit gas and break at the same time like the clutch?

[@alskndlaskndal]

Just want to clarify one thing... Heel toe is mainly used for going around turns? Is it also used when you're slowing down approaching a stop light but want to be able to accelerate fast if the light changes before you get there? But it would not be used if you're just trying to accelerate from your current speed, like when passing someone on the highway... is that correct?

[@rufulustigatan6688]

I kinda turn my foot and then use the side of it - just feels best for me

[@alew3555]

Sorry if I didn't catch this right, but I noticed you had the clutch all the way in while going around what looked like a right hand turn, downshifted, then let out the clutch as you straightened out of the turn? Is that right

[@RaymondLo84]

We need to show this during a track racing?

[@DaryDimplez]

Is double clutching while downshifting necessary? For some reason that's the only way I thought it was supposed to be done Or is there any pros or cons to double clutching while down shifting?

[@StanleyKubick1]

it's fine if you want to skip gears on a downshift

[@Ggg-ef6vb]

You can feel the throttle with skate shoes it’s hard with running shoes

[@Purifiedinfire]

Wait a second so say I am cruising along in third on a 70kmph/43mph road here in my city and I start coming up on traffic. I have a habit of holding in my clutch and shifting down through the gears as I get to their speed ranges. That way if the traffic takes off again at a slow pace I can start again in 2nd or if it comes to a near stop I can let out the clutch at 1st and start driving again. Is this bad for my transmission to pass gears in between going from say 4th to 1st or 3rd to 1st in this manner without actually letting out the clutch and using the gear briefly to spin up the input shaft? Or am I totally just misunderstanding.

[@ThrottleHouse]

+Shawn Watchorn that isn't really that good for the synchros between gears to do it all the time. But yes you could let out the clutch to spin up the input shaft but remember you would have to blip the throttle to increase the input shaft speed to match the lower gear which essentially is double clutching. Basically just forcing the gear selector down through the gears without actually downshifting and letting out the clutch is a bit unnecessary imo. I would either downshift or just stay in the gear you are in until you have to downshift to the lower gear necessary properly .

[@mooomalooomabaloooma]

i finally understand why it was so fucking jerky whenever i blipped from third to second using the same amount of blip

[@calebmucciarone1256]

What happens if you release the clutch too early in a downshift? Will it lug the engine, stall out the car, or will the car just lurch? Im new to driving standard, and want to make sure I get this right early enough so I don’t develop a bad habit or damage my car. Any help would be awesome.

[@ChrisKsan]

Love your videos! Does this tutorial apply to diesels as well?

[@ThrottleHouse]

+ChrisKsan yep!