Should You Slow Down or Downshift First When Turning with a Manual Transmission?
3 Answers
When turning with a manual transmission, you should slow down first and then downshift. Below are the turning methods and precautions: Turning Method: First, when you are still some distance away from the curve, start releasing the throttle and wait for the RPM and speed to decrease. Then, press the clutch and shift to a lower gear (first or second gear). After that, release the clutch slowly to navigate the curve, preferably using first gear. Precautions: While turning, maintain an appropriate distance from the vehicle in front. If you notice the speed is too high, press the clutch and then brake. When the vehicle speed reaches about 20 km/h, shift to first gear. When releasing the clutch, do it slowly to avoid a sudden drop in RPM, which can cause severe jerking.
After driving manual transmission cars for so many years, I'm very familiar with cornering techniques. Before turning, you need to use the brakes to slow down first - don't rush to shift gears. Wait until the speed stabilizes around 20-30 km/h, then shift to the appropriate lower gear. If you downshift without slowing down first, the car may lurch forward or stall, making it hard to control the steering. Especially during rain/snow or on mountain road sharp turns when the road is slippery - I've seen several cases where improper throttle application during gear changes caused rear wheel spin and loss of control. New drivers often worry too much about the engine stalling from low speed, but actually a slight RPM drop is fine - you can add throttle after safely completing the turn. Remember: keep your hands steady on the wheel during turns, focus your eyes on the exit path, mentally follow the sequence of brake-then-downshift, and with enough practice it'll become muscle memory.
Driving a manual transmission through corners is all about smoothness. When I was racing on the track, my coach emphasized: brake hard to slow down before entering the corner, then depress the clutch and downshift once the speed is within a controllable range. If the sequence is messed up, the engine will either lug and shake or rev excessively, losing torque control, causing the car to understeer or oversteer instantly. The same principle applies to regular street turns—slowing down helps stabilize the center of gravity, while downshifting ensures power upon exiting the corner. Don’t listen to those who claim second-gear cornering is easier; forcing a low gear without proper speed control will make the clutch disc squeal from overheating. Remember to start braking about 100 meters before the corner, aim for the apex, lightly blip the throttle while shifting, and keep the entire motion fluid.
