What's a granny shift?

Simply put, granny shifting is when you upshift or downshift through the gears of a manual transmission normally. This means that there's not rev-matching or double clutching happening through your shifts, which also means that the car will likely bog when you downshift.

motorbiscuit.com - What Is 'Double Clutching' and Is it Really Better Than 'Granny Shifting?'

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“Granny shifting, not double-clutching like you should” are the famous words said by Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) in the 2001 hit The Fast and the Furious. Ironically, when it comes to drag racing or daily driving, that line doesn’t really make much sense. So you might be wondering what “double clutching” actually is and if it is really more beneficial than “granny shifting.” Let’s take a closer look and clear up what the infamous Toretto was talking about.

What is double clutching?

Whether or not you know how to drive a manual transmission, you’re probably well aware that there is a clutch pedal associated with the process. That clutch pedal is used to accelerate the car in first gear (and reverse) and is depressed once when shifting up and down between the gears. When it comes to “double clutching,” you press on the clutch twice when shifting in between gears. So if you were downshifting from third gear to second gear, then the process would be as follows: Clutch in, shifter out of third into neutral, clutch out, tap the gas pedal, clutch in, shifter out of neutral into second gear. If you are upshifting, the throttle blip is not necessary. The process is pretty straightforward and it’s really only necessary when you’re downshifting through the gears as opposed to upshifting. But even then, it’s not completely necessary since every manual transmission that you’ll find in a passenger car today is equipped with synchronizers that mesh the gears, the input, and output shafts together for smoother shifts. Case in point, double clutching makes sense if you’re driving a large semi-truck, which typically doesn’t have synchronizers in the transmission, but not so much in a normal passenger car.

What is “granny shifting?”

Simply put, granny shifting is when you upshift or downshift through the gears of a manual transmission normally. This means that there’s not rev-matching or double clutching happening through your shifts, which also means that the car will likely bog when you downshift. In this instance, “rev-matching,” or blipping the gas pedal between shifts could smooth things out, but it’s not always completely necessary to do so. However, if you’re driving a car with a manual transmission normally and shifting through the gears just like you were taught, you’re technically “granny shifting,” which is the proper way to drive it.

Don’t bother with double clutching, even if you’re racing

Now that we know what double clutching and granny shifting are, we can now see that it would have been pointless for Brian (the late Paul Walker) in The Fast and the Furious to employ the technique while drag racing Toretto. In fact, considering it would have taken him longer to shift into the next gear – since he would have had to push the clutch in twice – he probably would have lost the race anyway. And just like Toretto says in the movie, “It doesn’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile, winning is winning,” and double-clutching wouldn’t have helped anyone, especially Brian, win that race.

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What causes car Jarking?

The most likely reason that a car jerks when accelerating from stop is a problem with the clutch. It could be due to worn-out friction material or a pressure plate defect (or combination of both). It could also be caused by an oil leak contaminating the clutch plate.

rac.co.uk - Car juddering, jerking or stuttering - what to do | RAC Drive

My car jerks and shudders when I press down on the accelerator but stops when I take my foot off the pedal.

What could the problem be?

An acceleration problem is usually the result of insufficient fuel, air, or spark during the combustion process. Worn-out spark plugs or the electrical cables attached to them are one of the most common causes of cars stuttering. A deficient spark plug causes the engine to misfire, making your car jerk when you accelerate. The engine may also be much noisier than it normally is, sounding more like an aeroplane taking off than a car. A clogged catalytic converter is another reason why a car jerks while accelerating, as a blockage can disrupt the exhaust system’s airflow. When you press down on the accelerator pedal, you may notice a delay in your car’s response, followed by a sudden jerk or lurch forward. There may also be a rotten egg smell.

How to fix it

If the issue is something as straightforward as faulty spark plugs, you may have the know-how to change them yourself. You may also be able to unclog minor blockages with a good catalytic converter cleaner. But if you don’t understand the mechanics of your car very well or it’s a more serious blockage, it’s best to seek expert help. Check out our RAC Approved Garage Network to find a mechanic you can trust. It only includes garages that provide quality work and exceptional customer service, giving you peace of mind if your car needs attention. Most repairs can even be carried out by a mobile mechanic right on your driveway.

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