I know all the manual owners will laugh at this – I'll admit my ignorance on the question. I drive 32 miles each way to work. I've had my G since they originally started shipping over a year ago (2nd car to be delivered from the dealership I bought from.) Sometimes in traffic I'll stay in manual mode and downshift to brake. I don't let the RPM's get too high and I don't do this excessively. I'm talking slow speeds. Should I be concerned with doing this too much? Will it hurt the transmission over time? Also, when I want that extra little torque is downshifting into third around 55-60mph to increase RPM's bad? I'm admittedly not as schooled in the technical discussions on the thread. Maybe you guys can give some advice. I'm learning.
-Thanks

 

simple...
downshifting for slow down = bad to your tranny i recommend not to do it and use brakes, AT brakes cost around $30 and wee gets 3yr/36k warranty on brakes... use this advantage...

downshifting for acceleration = it's OK... it will not hurt your tranny... and tranny won't allow you to over-rev or anything possible can damage it... i have AT too and downshift all the time...

just remember, we got Q45's tranny which one of best tranny in the world... have you heard AT failure on G35 yet?? nope... enjoy your g...

 

Why would you do that? I mean, assuming you're not getting the big *clunk* when you downshift with your foot off the gas, it shouldn't create excessively more wear on the tranny. But why not just spare it entirely and move your foot over to the brake? Just can't stand the brake dust?

-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532

 

wow for real???
you are the first one... but i'm still confident with my AT can take all the downshifts for acceleration though...

 

Does it downshift for us when we're in 5th and 4th gear, or should we do it ourselves?

cb/graphite g35c - fully loaded
jwt pop charger - 350z tube

 

I always look at this question in terms of costs. How much does it cost to replace the parts you are wearing out?

Every time you brake, you are putting wear and tear on some components. If you want to put more wear and tear on your transmission and engine, feel free - you are the one who will have to replace any parts when they get worn out (after the warranty).

Another way to look at it is the brakes are designed to do one thing - stop you. The engine and transmission are designed to do primarily one thig - move you.

You can certainly use the engine and transmission as brakes, just realize that is not what they were primarily designed to do, so it causes more wear and tear.

Dave

2004 DG/G 5AT Coupe with all options except Satellite Radio

 

Thanks guys,
Sounds like using the brakes for what they are designed for is the best choice. I'll reserve most of, or all of, my downshifts for accelleration. I've never downshifted to brake and felt the tranny bump or jolt the vehicle. That's good news. Thanks all for the feedback.
-coupefan