::engine braking/downshifting:: good or bad?
The only time I down shift is when I need the lower gear for acceleration. Like when going around a corner for example. I rev-match each and every time I down shift.
I prefer not to use engine braking as a way to slow my car down. Brake pads are much cheaper than engine and transmission components. The only exception would be going down a steep incline. During this instance I would keep my car in gear to prevent it from gaining too much speed, but would couple this with brake use as well.
I prefer not to use engine braking as a way to slow my car down. Brake pads are much cheaper than engine and transmission components. The only exception would be going down a steep incline. During this instance I would keep my car in gear to prevent it from gaining too much speed, but would couple this with brake use as well.
Last edited by PAIXAO; Jan 12, 2009 at 08:53 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 529
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From: Houston, TX
With the already "noisy" trannies in these cars you're right, definately not the right car to be engine braking with.
Coasting into an exit at 50-60mph might not be too good of an idea. I'll admit, I shift into neutral at 50-60mph too but I immediately start the braking.
Just I always noticed if you shift into neutral from higher speeds, the rpm tends to drop a bit more than usual and you run into the danger of stalling.
My rpms idle at around 650rpm at a stop, at times when doing the above it drops below that, very risky when the exit is still curving or what not.
Coasting into an exit at 50-60mph might not be too good of an idea. I'll admit, I shift into neutral at 50-60mph too but I immediately start the braking.
Just I always noticed if you shift into neutral from higher speeds, the rpm tends to drop a bit more than usual and you run into the danger of stalling.
My rpms idle at around 650rpm at a stop, at times when doing the above it drops below that, very risky when the exit is still curving or what not.
I've always owned cars with MTs and have never needed to replace a
clutch and only one throw out bearing. I down shift to the next lower gear,
as in 5th to 4th and only once mistakenly shifted from 5th to 2nd....nasty
revvs at that point. Our Nissan clutches will last 100K miles if you'll remember
to keep you foot off the pedal when not in use....
Gary
clutch and only one throw out bearing. I down shift to the next lower gear,
as in 5th to 4th and only once mistakenly shifted from 5th to 2nd....nasty
revvs at that point. Our Nissan clutches will last 100K miles if you'll remember
to keep you foot off the pedal when not in use....
Gary
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 593
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From: Socal.
hmm. i think my buddy killed his evos trans that way. i think he was rev matching wrong. makes sense i guess. he would feather it as everyone has been saying haha. yah he went through 2 clutchs and a trans then sold it and bought a automatic mazda 3.
Rule of thumb: The clutch pedal should be fully depressed, or your foot should be off it.....if you're hanging up in the middle, you're screwing your clutch up. Please note, this doesn't mean that you need to drop the clutch, but you do need to be relatively quick and smooth with your clutch engagement/disengagement.
I've downshifted every day i've driven my old car (prior to the G) and went 80K when i traded it in on the original clutch with no issues at all. To downshift, i would press in the clutch, blip the throttle up ~1000 RPM and let out the clutch quickly. If i did it right, you would never even feel the downshift other than the change in exhaust note.
Your style definitely lead to the early death of your clutch. You definite want the cluthc either in or out fully...You want to spend as little time "hanging in the middle" as possible. If you downshift, you want to rev-match and be off the clutch as quickly as possble.
Your style definitely lead to the early death of your clutch. You definite want the cluthc either in or out fully...You want to spend as little time "hanging in the middle" as possible. If you downshift, you want to rev-match and be off the clutch as quickly as possble.
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