Short version:
Downshifting for engine braking
without rev matching causes the most clutch wear; downshifting for engine braking
with rev matching causes less clutch wear; engine braking without downshifting causes
no clutch wear.
Long version:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Braces
I never see it discussed, but aggressive engine braking in manuals adds to clutch wear.
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If you downshift and don't rev match, yes, but the quoted statement without context might as well be completely wrong. Letting off the gas while staying in the same gear causes the car to engine brake naturally with zero clutch wear. I guess the issue in the statement lies in the ambiguous use of the word "aggressive".
What is probably meant is that using the clutch to bring the engine to speed when downshifting instead of rev matching will cause significant clutch wear, while rev matching will cause less. Leaving the car in the current gear and letting the engine slow you down naturally is still engine braking, but causes no wear on the clutch.
I keep seeing this point mentioned on this forum and nobody ever makes completely clear statements, which I'll bet causes confusion for new manual drivers.