Powershifting, also known as full-throttle shifting or flat-shifting (not to be confused with ''evertons power shift''), is a method of shifting used with

manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed motor vehicle transmission (mechanics), transmission ...

s to reduce the time where the driving wheels are not powered. Unlike a normal gearchange, in a powershift the driver does not let off the accelerator (unlike ''speed-shifting'', where the throttle is let off very quickly, simultaneously depressing the clutch and shifting into the next gear, rapidly). The

clutch A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts). ...

is briefly depressed while the shift lever is rapidly shifted into a higher gear, keeping the engine in its

power band The power band of an internal combustion engine or electric motor is the range of operating speeds under which the engine or motor is able to output the most power, that is, the maximum energy per unit of time. This usually means that maximum a ...

. Keeping the engine in its powerband allows it to put down power quicker when the clutch is "dropped" and power returns to the transmission. In most cases, there is a method of cutting the ignition or fuel delivery, in a manner similar to a rev-limiter, which prevents the engine from over-revving when the load from the transmission is removed. Many aftermarketMegaSquirt ECU
DIY engine management systems. engine management systems provide this functionality as either a standard feature or as an option, usually combined with launch control.

References

Driving techniques {{auto-stub

See also

References