Question about learning to use MT.

  • Thread starter Thread starter GfxJG
  • 57 comments
  • 4,149 views
GfxJG

GfxJG

Messages
1,994
Denmark
Denmark
Messages
GfxJG
I've been using AT all my GT life (Since 1998... I was 3 lol), but recently someone convinced me to convert to MT... So I gave it a try. I've got it down when it comes to accelerating, but when you brake... How do you know at what point to shift down? If I shift down too early the sounds makes me feel like I'm killing the car...
 
I pretty much only use MT when every split second counts such as license tests etc.
I mostly race using auto as it is just a more relaxing experience.
Don't worry about killing the car, that's impossible. In real life downshifting actually helps the car slow down and adds a little extra stopping power, but whether that applies to GT5 I dont know.
Just practice and you will develop a technique that suits you. Perhaps a free run round a simple track would help.
Good luck:tup:
 
Hehe, currently I'm just lapping La Sarthe, money is a bonus to learning XD And I know it's not possible to kill it, but I'm a car person, the sound makes me feel bad inside :p
 
Sometimes I downshift fast sometimes I downshift slow. It depends on the corner. If I'm comin down fuji straight to turn 1 then I just hit my braking point and get it down to second asap. But Suzuka turn 1 is all finess.

I've learned that no matter how much hp you have the gear which you take any turn in the game is the same. As long as your trans is set correctly for the straight. so just learn your tracks and what gear works for what turns. Use the red flashing number.
 
This is a great question. I'd suggest the majority of your downshifts prior to turning in. This will help you keep the maximum grip... but you can sometimes get some additional grip by having the final downshift just before the apex and when you are ready to get back into the throttle, that way you're putting your car back into the torque curve (usually differs a little car to car) and you're ready to be full throttle without bogging down before the next straight. This helps the rotation of the car, especially in 4WD or rear drive cars.
 
In GT5 you can shift down to the gear you need, as early as you want. GT5 does not allow the engine to explode.

IRL, you need to wait until the engine has slowed enough otherwise you will kill the motor.
 
Well, the main technique is to practice, practice, practice ;)

Once you've got the hang of it, you won't even need to glance at the rev indicator to know when to shift, you can do it by ear :dopey:
 
I have the same problem, accelerating and shifting is fine, I am bad at downshifting though. I always go too fast or too slow when downshifting gears.
 
I usually map my gear shifts to the speed I'm traveling at, like I do in real life.

But as Zed says, practice practice practice!
 
Shift gradually. I would say as you would in real life, but as you mentioned you're not quite old enough for that yet :P

You want to space out your downshifts. If you downshift too quickly the rear will break loose. Downshift too slow and you will not get as good engine braking meaning you will overshoot the corner.

The first thing you need to do is practice taking corners in different gears. Eventually you will figure out the right gear for each corner. It took me quite a few weeks to become adept with the gears in GT4 and i've still not completely mastered them. Often when learning a course there is another learning curve for which gears you need to be in.

When you do that the braking distances will dictate how many times you need to downshift, and with that comes a rhythm for how quickly you do that. Sadly this is something you really just need to practice yourself, as it's quite reliant on driving style aswell.
 
Just listen to the sound of the engine really for it to calm down... jsut because a 2 is flashing dont go 5,4,3,2 as quick as possible .... let it slow down itself like in auto transmission 5.....4.....3......2.....then pound the accellerator down and get back into 6th :sly:
 
I have a question: When you guys use MT with the dfgt, do you use the shifter or the buttons on the steering wheel? I use AT at the moment but want to shift to MT and was wondering what's the easiest to use.
 
DA__dogg
I have a question: When you guys use MT with the dfgt, do you use the shifter or the buttons on the steering wheel? I use AT at the moment but want to shift to MT and was wondering what's the easiest to use.
Click to expand...

I use the paddle buttons, they are around about where your hands should be when racing.
The gear shifter, in my opinion, is only good for remapping the reverse function, as this cannot be used efficiently with default settings when using a wheel.
 
zedextreme8177
Well, the main technique is to practice, practice, practice ;)

Once you've got the hang of it, you won't even need to glance at the rev indicator to know when to shift, you can do it by ear :dopey:
Click to expand...

+1


Been using MT since GT2 and never had a problem since...
 
DA__dogg
I have a question: When you guys use MT with the dfgt, do you use the shifter or the buttons on the steering wheel? I use AT at the moment but want to shift to MT and was wondering what's the easiest to use.
Click to expand...

Paddle when circuit racing and shifter when drag racing :D
 
It just takes time to get used to the cars you are driving, if you are using a DS3, I can't even comment since my coordination is trash, but on a wheel, braking/slowing and knowing your RPMs help me a lot, and each car for me is different so if I drive a car that I barely drive, it takes a few turns before I get the feel. Good luck and keep us updated with your MT evolution!

@Da Dogg, I use both, but sometimes when coming into a tight corner I seem to get a better turn radius when using one hand on the wheel and one on the shifter. Also if I need to use my E-brake (Circle button for me) I will utilize the paddles until I start to exit the turn then go back to the shifter. That is what I like about GT5 compared to Dirt 3, you can assign both areas to the same function....
 
If you care about downshifting you should go back to AT.
I use MT since GT5:P and it's something which is done by heart, as if it is automated. Can't explain, I don't look at the rev-meter at all times, I just listen to the engine and shift. It doesn't matter what car I use, X2010 or MX5.
I do hate the sound of rev-limiter though, so I try to avoid it as much as I can - but sometimes (when braking) I use it to my advantage (engine braking).

So, if you are too focused on shifting - just forget it, don't use MT.
 
yerh depend on the car for me...but just get used to a track that has lots of turns and twisty bit where you would be constantly changing gears (nurburgring of course!)

and dont stick to one car...try a range of different cars because some cars behave differently to other especially those with a turbo...i often try to keep the boost up by keeping the rpm up but it hard in a powerful car without it bouncing on the rev limiter or spinning...!

but the bottom line is practising! and the seasonal offer a great way to test your skills!
 
My 2 cents are to use a car you are comfortable with. It doesnt have to be too fast or too slow, just something that you feel comfortable with cornering so you can solely focus on your shifting.
 
First, don't look at the HUD. Listen to the engine & you will notice that the driver is moving his hand to the paddle. Thats the perfect time for upshifting. :sly:👍

newstgs09gt5ferrarigame.jpg


If you drive without traction control then it's important to tune your transmission to minimize the wheel spin (check out the tuning forum for tips). With a good tune you can win some seconds per round. :)

And don't down shift too early. In some corners with some high HP cars it's better to stay in the higher gear at the corner exit to avoid wheel spin. Then when you are on the straight shift down for more accelation. 👍
 
I'd like to add that I downshift at 1000-2000 RPM lower than when the gear starts, depending on the car. I know you didn't get me, so I'll explain:

When you upshift, the RPM's will land at a certain point. Let's say it is 4000 RPM. That means that I can downshift at 3000-2500 RPM, as a rough guide.
 
I know you gusy are all just trying to help, but I'm not an utter idiot, you don't have to explain it like you would to a small child :p But as said, I know you're merely trying to help. And so far it has helped. I'm starting to get the hang of it lol.
 
I personally downshift at any random time just so I'm at the right gear when I start accelerating again :P
 
I can only concur with those who say listen to the engine. When I had my real motorbike I knew what speed I was doing by knowing what gear I was in and the sound of the engine (much harder to do in my current Diesel Golf with the stereo on!).

Sorry if this is a "teaching to suck eggs" sort of question, but knowing what gear you need for the corner is vital. So when I'm on a fast straight in top going down into a 2nd gear hairpin. I brake, slight delay to let the revs drop a bit then down into 5th, down into 4th, down into 3rd...slight delay if needed then down into 2nd. The delays are there to ensure I don't loose control over the rears (easily done by downshifting with too high RPM). But the delays are very subjective and depend on a lot of factors....sometimes I don't do the final down shift until the braking phase is completely over and the car settled. As many have said, just practise hotlapping. I can remember going from AT to MT when I bought my Driving Force to use with GT3....took a while but you never look back.

Now I'm dabbling with the H shift manual with my G25....that's quite a bit harder for me as I never drove a car Manual (only motorbikes), only got an Auto car license. It's fun and upshifts are easy, But I'm CHRONICALLY bad at downshifts tho, can't heel and toe to save my life LOL.
 
You have to brake enough first, and wait for RPM drop to downshift. You can focus on your RPM, or in the engine sound when you are learning to find your timing.
When you have enough practice with pads, you can start with the H shift. This allows you to downshift gears more fast, so you can go from 4 to 2, and 5 to 3, using the double clutching.
 
I was lucky enough to get a good deal at Best Buy on a wheel with a clutch. If you ever drive with a clutch in GT5 it is a whole lot different than the manual transmission I used to use. Here are just general tips for manual transmissions especially for La Sarthe, I used to race Le Mans all the time in GT5.

Downshift before you enter your corner.
Brake hard until your RPM's are at around 25% of your rev limiter, then proceed to downshift and brake through all of your gears.

Eventually you will get used to it just give it a chance.
:dopey:
 
Dang it's harder than I thought it would be. Tried using the paddles and the shifter and can't seem to get comfortable with either. Funny thing is I drive manuals every day at work lol. I'll get it eventually cause it's pretty much the same thing as getting used to the wheel when you first start using it.
 

Latest Posts

Back