Heel-toe shifting

[thekid]

As the topic titile suggests I'm wondering how many people can heel-toe in their E36s. And how long did it take you to learn? I've been trying to get it down, but for some reason I can't quite get it working right. Really need it for auto-x though.

[Deloriant]

God, I wish I could, but I've never even tried. What's the point, to keep your RPM's up while shifting?

[thekid]

I need it to keep the car from doing a "shift-lock" when downshift from 2nd to 1st with auto-x or from 3rd to 2nd while driving aggesively.

[Gator]

I have a 1999 323is and the pedal placement makes it virtually impossible to heel toe. I've been meaning to ask if others have moved the pedals in order to heel toe. I've driven many other cars where it hasn't been a problem but it seems BMW has made it imposible without alterations which look to be very difficult.

[Q_BMW]

wha is the main purpose of this ?
keep revs high all the time ?
Q

[TMac325is]

i dont get what 'heel-toe' is referring to?

how does it work?

[Rookie]

I use heel toe shifting, but only under certain conditions. If I need to slow down while I down shift, then I keep brake pressure on with my right foot and then match rpms for the shift with the gas pedal, so it is a smoother transition between gears, and less clutch wear. Sounds confusing but it works for me.

Someone told me that if you feather the brake and use the gas at the same time in a corner it has an effect of keeping the weight distrubited evenly. So in order to shift and keep that balance and match rpms you have to use heel toe... BUT I think the guy was full of it, cause who would brake and use the gas

[TMac325is]

correction, my friend has informed me that it is when you place your heel on the brake and toe on the gas... but i dont understand why? is it to come out of turns faster while racing?

[thekid]

Originally posted by Q_BMW@Jul 16 2004, 12:07 AM
wha is the main purpose of this ?
keep revs high all the time ?
Q

thekid Posted on Jul 15 2004, 08:57 PM I need it to keep the car from doing a "shift-lock" when downshift from 2nd to 1st with auto-x or from 3rd to 2nd while driving aggesively.

Yes I did just quote my self. When you heel toe, you push the brake with your toes and hit the gas with your heel. So it goes brake hold, clutch,tap gas with heel still with toes on brake, shift, clutch out + foot off of gas. This stops your back wheels from locking up from an aggresive shift.

[Turbodefrost]

It can also be used in regular driving. When stopping quickly, or anytime to preserve your breaks. It's just down shifting, but adding a little more breaking to stop faster. At least that's how I see it.

[thekid]

Originally posted by Turbodefrost@Jul 16 2004, 12:26 AM
It can also be used in regular driving. When stopping quickly, or anytime to preserve your breaks. It's just down shifting, but adding a little more breaking to stop faster. At least that's how I see it.

yes this is also true, save the breaks but at the expense of the clutch.

[Rookie]

I think the point of heel toe down shifting is to actually to save the clutch... At least the way I use it, I don't really have to even feather the clutch because I match rpms on the down shift.

Also shifting the way your talking about to prevent breaking the rear tires loose sounds kind of goofy. Why would you apply the brakes on a very aggressive run up through the gears? I think I am going to have to go try this and see if there is something I am just missing with the physics of the beast.

[thekid]

It's for down shifting. While slowing down coming into a turn.

[Rookie]

Ahhh...... That sounds more like the heel toe shifting I like to use. Although I don't really use it that much for corners. Things like stop signs, pulling in to parking lots, or using it to rev my engine at pedestrians in the cross walk so they will get the hell out of the way!

[Turbodefrost]

[QUOTE]I think the point of heel toe down shifting is to actually to save the clutch... At least the way I use it, I don't really have to even feather the clutch because I match rpms on the down shift.[QUOTE]

Exactly. Well said.