Is Throttle Blip Necessary When Downshifting?

[DiHarrison]

Downshifting does not necessarily require throttle blipping. Throttle blipping is used to synchronize the engine speed during downshifting, and it can be omitted when the speed difference is small. As a common shifting technique among many manual transmission drivers, throttle blipping during downshifting can effectively reduce gear-shock when decelerating or overtaking at high speeds. The throttle blipping process consists of four steps: press the clutch and shift to neutral—release the clutch and blip the throttle—press the clutch, release the throttle, and shift to a lower gear—release the clutch and press the throttle to accelerate. During the throttle blipping process, the gear undergoes two changes: 1. First, when downshifting to overtake, release the throttle, press the clutch, and simultaneously use your right hand to shift to neutral—this completes the first gear change. 2. While keeping the clutch pressed with your left foot, quickly press the throttle with your right foot to raise the engine speed. 3. Finally, after blipping the throttle, shift to the lower gear, completing the second gear change. Then, release the clutch and press the throttle. The downshift with throttle blip is now complete.