So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully?

940 Views 22 Replies 20 Participants Last post by GTiBob, Nov 28, 2001

BlackWolfsburg

Discussion Starter · Nov 28, 2001

I've attempted it a few times.....seems rather impossible to me.
Do TT or aftermarket pedals really help?
Any tips or suggestions?

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

DaBlackJetta

· #2 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (BlackWolfsburg)

Um.. I do... on every downshift.
Just takes time n practice. I learned a long time ago and its just second nature to me... sounds cool too. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
btw.. I have stock pedals. I use the left side of my foot for braking and roll my ankle to the side to blip the throttle for downshifts. This works VERY well as I can moderate braking while manipulating throttle for downshifting.

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Duke

· #3 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (BlackWolfsburg)

The pedal are spaced way too far apart!(Unless u have size 13 feet)...Yes the TT pedals will help.......

BlackWolfsburg

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (DaBlackJetta)

DBJ -- once again, I bow down to you

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Dweezil

· #5 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (Duke)

quote:[HR][/HR](Unless u have size 13 feet)[HR][/HR]

Dag nabbit!
12.5's......Well, I'm not even gonna try now!
Y'know what they say about guys with big feet?

They wear big shoes.......

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DaBlackJetta

· #6 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (Dweezil)

No, really.. try it with using the side of your right foot to modulate brake and use the other side of your foot to blip the throttle. Its really easy!
btw, i wear a size 12.. but that doesnt matter.

TDI ESEL

· #7 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (DaBlackJetta)

quote:[HR][/HR]btw.. I have stock pedals. I use the left side of my foot for braking and roll my ankle to the side to blip the throttle for downshifts.[HR][/HR]

Same here, and if you wear doc marten shoes it's almost foolproof. SIze 9 runners fall through half the time. Those people who tell you that it's not possible just aren't doing it right. But, I'll say it again, on my diesel, it's kind of silly.

16vracer

· #8 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (DaBlackJetta)

I do everytime I downshift too. I have size 13's and I can easily have the right side of my right foot on the gas and the left side of my right foot on the brake. Then I can just tilt it back and forth.

J Dog

· #9 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (BlackWolfsburg)

I kind of learned by mistake. My '87 Jetta GLI would almost die If you didn't give it a little gas after depressing the clutch in a breaking situation. Dam I miss that car!

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WindsorJetta8v

· #10 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (J Dog)

what is heel-toe-downshift? please explain

16vracer

· #11 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (WOB_GTI)

quote:[HR][/HR]what is heel-toe-downshift? please explain[HR][/HR]

Basically you rev match for a downshift while you are braking, all synched and smoothly.
As you brake with 1 part of your right foot, and clutch with the left, you also apply the appropriate amount of gas with the other part of your right foot.

edkim

· #12 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (16vracer)

I'm old school; heel-and-toeing is second nature to me, and I can double-clutch downshifts too, though I never do since that's completely unnecessary on any modern car with synchros.
BTW, I have size 7 feet and have no problem with it, though it did admittedly take some time to get used to it on the Jetta. My last car was a Focus ZX3 that had its pedals really close together.

mrejda

· #13 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (TDI ESEL)

quote:[HR][/HR]Same here, and if you wear doc marten shoes it's almost foolproof. SIze 9 runners fall through half the time. Those people who tell you that it's not possible just aren't doing it right. But, I'll say it again, on my diesel, it's kind of silly.[HR][/HR]

HAHA, when I wear my Docs it's like I've got 10 extra hp - they make great driving shoes. BTW, I'm a size 10 and have no problem with the pedal spacing, just angle your foot a bit and roll it side to side

Edit: ahhhh post number of the devil....evil.....evil

[Modified by mrejda, 9:48 PM 11-27-2001]

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djGolfGTI

· #14 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (BlackWolfsburg)

I never really understood "double-clutching". Can anybody explain?

ronny5

· #15 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (djGolfGTI)

when i frst tried it, i figured out that my pedals are actually low , especailly the gas pedel, wat i did was put a metel plate to raise the gas pedel up, that way, u can succuessfullly use the side of ur foot or ur heel to rev up the gas, its much easier now, before, i had to struggle and put the heel down, the way our pedels are designed is my different from drifting japanese cars. like the 240's and supras, rx7's their pedels are close and at the same hight, try that, it works

dieselgrrrrl

· #16 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (ronny5)

hmm i wanna try learning...i've tried experimenting but i think my feet are too small. seems like too much effort to roll my ankle to even touch the gas pedal.

i'm size 8. women's. (~6 men's?) time for some aftermarket pedals?
*e

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Bryan S

· #17 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (BlackWolfsburg)

I was under the impression heel-toeing was not possible on these cars as the brake sensor cuts the throttle, when both brake and throttle are applied??? Looks like a good reason to go for a drive during lunch today

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graff48

· #18 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (djGolfGTI)

quote:[HR][/HR]I never really understood "double-clutching". Can anybody explain?[HR][/HR]

Double clutching was originally necessary to shift gears. To double clutch you put the clutch in, put the car in neutral, release the clutch, put the clutch in, put the car in gear, release the clutch. Not necessary for modern cars.
Now, some people refer to blipping the throttle during downshifting as double clutching. This is done to prevent the car from slowing down when down shifting. To do this "double clutch", put the clutch in, blip the throttle (goose the gas pedel), downshift, release the clutch.
And you guys who claim to heel-toe downshift in their dub....... I bet you guys have deformed ankles and feet!

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c1gti

· #19 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (graff48)

for everyone who can do this EASILY with the stock pedals - good job
if your having a hard time, tt pedals are almost the same as stock, a good set of after market pedals (like the momo's or sparco's) will bring the pedals closer together and make heal toe down shifts much easier. and even if you can do this stock, the pedals make it so much more enjoyable, just like how i could shift fine with the stock shifter, but the ss feel much better.

JLJetta

· #20 · Nov 28, 2001

Re: So who here can actually heel-toe-downshift successfully? (c1gti)

I find HT'ing to be much easier with hard braking in my Maxima SE. But in normal traffic, and normal braking, I don't see that much of a point in it. I'll only blip the throttle to put it into 1st if I'm still rolling a bit.
btw: I use the "palm" of my big toe for the brakes, and the outer toes for the throttle. But I do have aftermarket razzo pedals, which closes the spacing between the pedals alot. So I don't have to "twist" my ankles sideways.

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