AT Manual Mode Downshifting
 

Most of the advice i've read regarding engine braking is for stick shift and/or for other cars. I do enjoy the paddle shifters on the FR-S - so much more engaging than the manual mode on my GS400, which I rarely used.

I've been breaking in my AT (4000 rpm limit) and mostly using the manual mode with the paddle shifters on flat roads. During city driving coming to a stop light, i'll drop from 4th gear to 3rd at about 49mph, this keeps the revs at just under 4000 and provides a bit of engine braking. Sometimes i'll downshift again to 2nd around 38mph and roll to a near stop before applying the brakes. There is a little RPM jump when doing this but it doesn't seem too jarring - do I want to avoid this? How much of a jump is "ok" after the break in?

I'm about to hit the 1000 mile mark and I want to develop good habits to preserve this car for the long haul - how should I be using manual mode to get some engine braking without overly taxing my engine? Should I just give it up and use the breaks as needed? Thanks for any feedback.

Downshifting an auto vs downshifting a manual is no different as far as the engine is concerned... The Toyota 86 / Scion FR-S does a very good job of it on the auto box too - as the computer automatically blips the throttle to match the RPMs making for a pretty smooth gear change.

Once you're past the break in period I'd say don't worry about it and enjoy it. I am driving mine in manual mode at least 95% of the time, with the engine spending a lot of time in the high RPM ranges... the car simply won't let you down shift into the red line area.

You might notice on the dashboard there's an up and down arrow next to the gear indicator. The down arrow disappears when your speed is too high for the downshift.

In sport mode, the car allows for some very aggressive down shifts - which I like a lot. I'd say one of the best automatics outside of VW/Porsche and for sensible money. Totally different animal to the gearbox that's in the Scion TC.

what are good revs to shift at? I know that the car downshifts automatically. I've only used manual mode on the AT like 3 times and then stopped because I am still in my break in process. I have the indicator set to 3500 but not sure if I should leave it there or change it to 4000. Any ideas?