Proper shifting (going easy on the RMS)

The RMS-phobia has me second guessing my shifting style. Anyone with a manual trans. who has had RMS issues care to shed any light on ways they adjusted their shfiting after the seal was replaced?

I haven't changed my shifting, am I supposed to?

I seriously doubt there is any relationship between the two. In any event, you should be gentle when you shift, and NEVER jam the car into gear. Keep in mind that the Porsche shifter is self-centering. As such, when upshifting, you can use the palm of your hand to push the shifter out of gear, the shifter will center itself, and then you can use the palm of your hand to push the shifter into the proper gear, which will be easy to find since the shifter is centered. After a little practice, you will be able to do this so quickly and smoothly that nobody will notice what you did, including yourself. This technique also reduces the chance that you will engage in a "money $hift," which is much easier to do if you try to shift directly between gears. You are much more likely to shift from 5 into 2 if you are trying to shift directly between gears than if you shift from 5 into neutral and then straight back into 4th.

I tend to have to use a little force to get into 1st on cold days when the car has been sitting. That or clutch slip.

no correlation eh? so its more do with the mechanism and not the actual shifting style?

I'm no expert, but I really think shifting style has a much greater impact on your syncros and transmission than on your RMS. With respect to downshifting, heel and toeing with rev matching, although not necessary for cars with syncros like ours, is easier on your car.

Sitting at a light with the clutch in can't help the RMS but that's all I can think of.

Maybe you were asking when to shift? What RPM instead how to shift? I doubt the shifting style have anything to do with the RMS, now on the other hand. What RPM you shift and how long you hold the RPM before you shift may have something to do with RMS..... As RMS is crank shaft related. From my own experience I do know that RMS is related to crankcase pressure.... As I had several drops of leak after a long trip on a overfilled crank case.

please expound on where to shift and how long to hold before releasing the clutch in the "saving the RMS" (possibly) crusade.

My understanding is that the way the 996 is set up, when the clutch is depressed a lot of weight sits on the end of the crank which would put pressure on the last seal on the crank "the RMS" when the clutch is engaged the weight is more evenly distributed, that's about as well as I can explain it.

so in other words, the less you use the clutch the less the RMS is affected? Interesting, because coming from a Miata I got into the habit of shifting often to keep the car in the tasty part of the power band.

A good point but I don't feel this is any relevance on the RMS leak. My car is an 04 with 4 replaced RMS, now the car has the new type and its been fine for almost a year, where as the other seals lasted all of 2 months at the longest. Shifting styles and at any RPM has nothing to do with it I think.

is the new type RMS from the Cayenne? 4 seals in 1 year? where do you usually shift (RPMs)? do you usually let the car come up to temp before shifting into 1st?

Not so sure I follow the logic. The crankshaft is connected to the flywheel. The clutch face connects the flywheel to the tranny. Stepping on the clutch pulls the clutch face away from the flywheel. All the pressure is on the clutch and tranny, not on the flywheel or RMS, when you step on the clutch. Step on the clutch and shift as frequently as you want. I think you'll wear down the clutch, the release bearing and your synchros, but I dont' think you'll do anything to the RMS one way or the other. Jerky clutch release, popping the clutch, now that I can see affecting the flywheel/crankshaft/RMS. Sudden forceful jerky engagement between the clutch face and flywheel can put pressure on the bearings and RMS. Yeah, I like to stay up there in the RPM and listen to that PSE, and I like to shift up or down even while maintaining the same speed just for the joy of shifting and throwing that lever.

Putting your car in neutral at red lights will cause RMS failure as will not bouncing off the rev limiter each and everyday.

Palting, I believe and correct me if I'm wrong that when the clutch is disengaged, pedal on floor, all the weight of the flywheel is hanging on the end of the crank and only supported by the crankshaft, when clutch engaged flywheel connected to clutch some weight relieved off of crank.

so basically to ward off RMS leak, car in gear at all times and no jerky clutch engagement/release ?

I think 1999Porsche911 was being facetious. He was joking about "neutral at red lights" and " not bouncing off the rev limiter each and everyday" will cause RMS.

My manual states to NOT allow car to sit and idle (warm up) before driving off ..........

I think that is somewhat reasonable. I turn the car on and wait until the idle settles back down (takes about 15-60 seconds depending on the ambient temp) before driving off. However, I NEVER drive the car aggressively until the engine is fully warmed up (at 180 deg on the temp gauge). To me, that means shifting no higher than 3500-4000 rpm and really driving the car quite easily, though obviously not lugging it.

I think you guys are thinking too hard about this.

I agree ^ its a car, cars break, its just a seal. I drive mine like the way it was made for..HARD..If it were meant to stay perfect i would enclose it a glass showcase.Drive it like you stole it.

Kilrgt, I don't know if you lift weights, but if you were to go out there and try to lift the world without first warming up, you rupture a tendon or tear a muscle. It's always a good policy to slowly warm things up before utilizing something to its capacity.

Hey Bob I do agree with that statement, but honestly I don't get in after sitting all night and shift at 6800 RPM, but i will not sit there and wait for it to warm up before I move like some of the people do, I drive my cars hard I don't abuse them, In the end its still just a car, and not my body, i couldn't care less if it breaks, this is one of the reasons I have always had a car under warranty. If I were to purchase a Porsche that is out of warranty I would be prepared to shell out money for the repairs.My thoughts are to enjoy the car to its fullest, and not worry about it breaking at what ever cost it may or may not be in the future. I do understand that this may be a matter of money for some and cant afford to repair the car if it breaks.............in that case they shouldn't be driving a Porsche. Again this is how i think and some may disagree....and that is their option to do so.

I agree!!! Do you guys honestly even think about your RMS when you are driving around??? Incredible! Maybe it's just me, but I've got two M96 motor cars and I don't even think about it. Too busy enjoying the drive I guess!!

I wonder if some of these posters have other "performance axiety" problems? Just like sex....a little warm up and then drive it hard.

No warm up there...Just give her!!

Yeah, but like your car, lubrication is very important.

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Does a used car buyer need anymore proof as to why it is important to know who drove the car before you and what repairs may or may not have been needed as a result. When you have drivers who just beat on their car without caring about whether it breaks or not, a prospective buyer has to be concerned about any long-term damage to the engine. Bob996, pay particular note here. There are some Porsche drivers that are a hell of a lot more aggressive with these cars than drivers of other makes.

Yes thats why I always buy new....I don't worry about the cars I will own , I order them. And don't assume my car is bag of **** , thats not treated right. I can tell you it gets fresh oil every 5000 KMS and what ever the car needs it gets, how many here can say their cars have had 8 oil changes in just over a year. One more thing i have played around with lots of other 996's not only is my car faster but it runs better.HANDS down, if anyone here would like more proof I can forward you the name of My Porsche Wrench whom swears its the FASTEST, NA 996 he had ever drove. I first thought he was full of it, but then I asked other 996'd owners to drive the car, all with the same outcome no one believes me when i say the car is BONE STOCK. Maybe some should run the cars harder and they will work better.

I don't get it......what is your point??? Kilrgt, said "I drive my cars hard I don't abuse them" I only indicated that I don't drive around worrying about my Rear Main Seals. Where did either of us indicate we "beat on our cars"???

I'm sure the drivers of Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, etc. are so much more gentle to their cars. (Tongue firmly in cheek).

Lowside, it's about preparing your car to be driven. I'm not saying not to enjoy the heck out of it; rather, I'm just saying that it would be foolish to hit it prematurely before the engine is warm. Ray, I don't drive around worrying about RMS at all. I think you misread my post. 'My' point was to suggest what I just did above: warm first, drive hard after. Really bad things can happen over time if this protocol is not adhered to. Go ahead, take your car out on a freezing winter day, start it up, and redline it. See how long it lasts. When Porsche doesn't warranty an engine after a certain period, it really does matter how the previous driver used the car if one is at all interested in a used car. Statements like "i couldn't care less if it breaks" would be a little disconcerting to a prospective buyer, wouldn't you agree?

I think you mistook what kilrgt said then, I don't think ANY of us don't warm our cars up before we run the heck out of them. He specifically said he doesn't run it to redline when it's cold...

On re-reading the post, I did misread it. You're right. Well, so much for that....

wow, i see another 0-40, 5-50 thread coming

You obviously misunderstood my post (and Kilrgt's also). I would never treat my car in the manner you describe above. That being said they are performance vehicles. I maintain them well, but drive them in a "spirited" manner and I don't drive around worrying about RMS.

He already mentioned he did misread.

Its all good guys, I am sure no one took it personal.....or did I???? Nooo nothing bothers me,This is why I like this place we can all have our own opinions, in the end we all still love our cars.