Downshifting/upshifting & High/Low gears?

[FORDification]

OK, my supervisor and I got into a discussion yesterday and today about the meaning of a few related terms and we both completely disagreed, so it was decided that I'd post the question here and let you guys decide:

'Upshifting' vs. 'Downshifting'
I always understand it as when a person upshifts, he goes from (for example) fourth gear to third, and downshifting would mean going from third to fourth. He thinks I have it backwards. So what's the general consencus here?

'Higher' vs. 'Lower' gears
The above discussion then led into a discussion of what's considered to be a higher gear or lower gear when shifting a transmission. I've always considered a lower gear to mean higher numerically and a higher gear as numerically lower. I know this to be the case when discussing differential gears....that is, when switching (for example) from a 3.00:1 to a 4.10:1 gear setup in your rearend, you're now using a lower gear. So would the same terminology apply when referring to shifting gears on a manual transmission? If I was in third gear and wanted to go to a lower gear, would I be going to second or fourth?

Yeah, I know, it's trivial....but now he's got me wondering if I've been referring to these things incorrectly.

[heep70]

I disagree with you on the 'Upshifting' vs. 'Downshifting'. I always used the term "downshifting" as going from 4th to 3rd.

I do agree with you on 'Higher' vs. 'Lower' gears.

[DuckRyder]

Whew,

When refering to a transmission, a higher gear refers to the gears number. IE: 4th to 5th is going to a higher gear and thus upshifting.

I agree with you on rear end gears lower numerically is higher, but transmission it is the gear number not the ratio.

Clear as mud?

[GT-Racer]

[67custom352dailydriver]

I also agree.

[68F250]

Yeah I agree too, upshifting is going from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, etc.

Higher gear in a trans. means the next gear aka 1st to 2nd, etc. But on the same token, you can buy a super low 1st gear for an automatic which is numerically higher.

Now I'm confused.

[crozetiga]

I respectfully disagree with you Keith on the Upshifting and Downshifting


I agree with you on the higher lower gear thing...... I always thought about this one in that you will be going at a higher RPM at the same speed with a higher gear.


It is odd to think about it the way that I do now that I am focusing on it.

Its a double standard. In a transmission the "higher gear" has a higher # (1,2,3,4) but actually has a lower gear ratio. But in the rear end a "higher" gear has a higher gear ratio.

wierd

Josh

[willowbilly3]

I also disagree with the first and agree with the second.
Now what I want to know is why do we call it TAKING a crap when we are actually leaving one.

[flyboy2610]

[quote="willowbilly3".
Now what I want to know is why do we call it TAKING a crap when we are actually leaving one.[/quote]

I've often wondered that myself.
From an ex-trucker: Upshifting is going to the next numerically higher gear, ie. 9th to 10th. The gear itself has less teeth than the previous gear, 10th has less teeth than 9th. Gives you higher speed, but less torque.
Downshifting means going from 10th to 9th. You are engaging a gear with more teeth than the previous gear. You won't go as fast, but you'll have more torque.

[FORDification]

Well, I had to bite the bullet and admit to my supervisor that I was wrong.....er, I mean, 'previously misinformed'. Damn, I've been using the upshift/downshift terms like that for years, and nobody's ever called me on it until now. Oh well....

I don't suppose ANYBODY'S gonna tell me that I wasn't the only one to have this mixed up? ')

[GT-Racer]

Nope just you...

[trukcrazy]

It'll be alright, Keith. Learning with your friends is a good thing. You could use that as a new trivia topic

[ttyR2]

This exact reason is why I only drive automatics. Haha.

Actually, the Kenworth I drive on occasion has 13 speeds...enough to keep ya busy.