No Need to Heel Toe

    Heel toeing is something that only die-hard enthusiasts or racecar drivers will know about. It is the act of pushing the gas in-between downshifts in a manual car. This slight push of the gas pedal, allows the driver to rev the engine to the appropriate rpms before taking a corner.  This process sounds confusing because it is. However, it has its upsides. It reduces wear and tear on a vehicles powertrain, fun to do, and gives the driver more control over the vehicle. If you have a manual and are interested in learning heel toe, go for it. But, if you’re in the market for a new sports car, and like a die-hard motorist, you need a manual, don’t bother learning how to heel toe.

   The Nissan 370z was the first car to be mass-produced that used the SynchroRev technology. While the Nissan 370z is not an old car, by no means is it new. When it first came out, automotive reporters raved about the Nissan’s ability to match engine rpms on downshifts. I was always curious as to why auto manufactures didn’t follow in Nissan’s footsteps. According to Christopher Burdick at Automoblog.net, the Nissan 370z was fun to drive, but made him feel like a better diver. Burdick stated that this was the major problem with the Nissan 370z.

   While I have never driven a car with SynchroRev technology, my first car was a Nissan Sentra SE-R V-Spec, which was a six-speed manual. I never once wished that the car had SynchoRev technology and learned how to heel toe in that car. I loved the car because it wasn’t perfect. If I forgot to blimp the throttle at the precise moment, the car jerked. If I held onto the clutch for too long, the car would coast until I changed gears. All of these mistakes meant that I would have to focus on driving and learn my car’s specific attitude.

   That’s what Burdick is talking about. A good car is one that pushes the driver to better. It teaches you about driving, yourself, and it allows you to have a connection with the car. While SynchoRev technology is great, it detaches the driver from the car. It doesn’t push you, but rewards you for not trying. That’s why other auto manufacturers never implemented SynchroRev technology into their sports cars, because they knew it would make their cars less special and take away from the uninhibited act of driving.