{"id":22389,"date":"2016-06-03T14:46:50","date_gmt":"2016-06-03T18:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.njstateauto.com\/?p=22379"},"modified":"2023-03-29T16:03:50","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T20:03:50","slug":"rev-matching-really-necessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.njstateauto.com\/blog\/rev-matching-really-necessary\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Rev Matching and Is It Really Necessary?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n

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Operating a car with a manual transmission requires you to shift gears as you go. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned vet of manual transmissions, they still require a little more concentration as you drive when compared to an automatic transmission. Knowing how to time shifts as you drive is vital to the efficiency and\u00a0health of your vehicle’s engine<\/a> and transmission<\/a>. Let’s explore what rev matching is and how it can extend the life of your car’s drivetrain. If you have any questions, give us a call at (201) 200-1100<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Is Rev Matching?<\/h2>\n

Rev matching is a driving technique that is specific to vehicles with manual transmissions. Rev matching applies to the speed of the engine when downshifting. This occurs as you slow down to take a curve or any other circumstance where you slow the vehicle down only to accelerate immediately after. Another term you will commonly hear in association with rev matching is \u201cheel-toe downshifting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heel-toe downshifting is widely practiced in the sport of racing, where drivers encounter multiple circumstances requiring them to slow their cars without using the brakes and then rapidly accelerate. If you’ve driven a vehicle with a manual transmission for a significant amount of time, you may already have a pretty good idea of what rev matching is, even if you are unfamiliar with the terminology. That said, many people have never learned this driving technique, and their cars have paid the price with added wear and tear on the engine and the transmission.<\/p>\n

If you’re not accustomed to executing rev matching while driving it can be tough to get the hang of, but with some practice and patience, you are sure to master this technique. To put it simply, rev matching is when you match the engine speed to the speed of the lower gear you are about to shift down to when slowing down your vehicle. When this is properly executed, it will result in a smooth transition without any judder or added strain on the engine and transmission.<\/p>\n

Is Rev Matching Necessary?<\/h2>\n

If you have driven a car with a manual transmission for many years without practicing rev matching, you may be curious if it’s necessary during daily driving. This is a valid concern, and the short answer to this question is yes, but it’s not so cut and dry. Even though rev matching isn’t required to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, it’s highly recommended and relatively easy to learn.<\/p>\n

Downshifting without rev matching puts undue strain on the engine and the transmission, resulting in lurching and bogging down of the engine. Over time this strain can be harmful to your vehicle’s drivetrain and can lead to costly repairs.<\/p>\n

Rev matching can help prolong the life of your vehicle by:<\/p>\n