Shifting with a manual...

[355rockit]

Originally Posted by ayau

Why? Brake pads are cheap compared to clutch/transmission.

+1... don't down-shift into first coming to a stop... slow down in second until you are slow enough and then neutral and brake. Keep foot off clutch and on brake at full stop. I'd rather wear the brakes than the clutch or put wear on the synchros.

[mit_peid]

General rule of thumb is to let the brakes do what they're designed to do. I downshift primarily in anticipation of what part of the power band I want to be in. If there's a red light ahead that I think I may need to stop for, I lay off the throttle first to see if that'd slow me down enough to time the green. If I think there's a chance at hitting a green by downshifting 1 gear I may do that. The moment I know brakes are necessary, I don't downshift further and just leave it in that gear until it is time to use the brakes, brake to a stop while transitioning into neutral, then get back into first as appropriate. Little point in downshifting through all the gears from 6/5th if you know you need to stop.

[tennisfreak]

LOL @ the people saying engine braking is bad for your engine/transmission.


Please show some well documented proof because I have never seen it. Every big truck in existence uses engine braking when they can.


Engine braking helps you slow down, fuel is cut off so the engine is not making power. The load on your transmission is far far greater under heavy acceleration than it would ever be engine braking.

[Floggin Tires]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

Thanks for clearing that up,

[dirtymax]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

LOL @ the people saying engine braking is bad for your engine/transmission.


Please show some well documented proof because I have never seen it. Every big truck in existence uses engine braking when they can.


Engine braking helps you slow down, fuel is cut off so the engine is not making power. The load on your transmission is far far greater under heavy acceleration than it would ever be engine braking.

I dont think anyone is saying its "bad", just a little more wear and unnecessary work in a light car when coming to a stop.

[billwot]

Originally Posted by swpbrz

If you are getting anywhere close to the stopping power of your brakes by rowing down the gears to come to a stop your putting extra stress on the transmission. that through the laws of physics will cause more wear. That's just the way it is. There is no free pass in the real world. If theres a red light half a mile away go ahead and ease of the gas and let the engine do its thing. I wouldn't go out of my way to slam into a low gear and get some stopping power from engine in normal circumstances

Yeah, so it will probably only last 500,000 miles, instead of 700,000.

I learned to downshift/engine brake when I started driving almost 60 years ago, and have done it ever since.

And I have abused trannys and clutches in ways you probably can't even imagine.

Never broke one yet.

[Argento]

Ever since I had my corolla in October 2012, I took a great deal of pride in self to learn how to rev-match. Simply because as an enthusiast it's something I felt I needed to "know how". Once I practiced enough on it, I made it a habit. I literally would be on autopilot at some point months down the road if I'm talking to someone in the car riding along or communicating via hands free Bluetooth.

I personally enjoy the sound and feel of heel-toe/rev match downshifting. Plus, as others have said, if done correctly it would cause minimal wear over 'normal usage' even for everyday driving.

When I got the FRS back in December, it took quite some time for me to adjust to the clutch feel but the concept is still applied on a regular basis. I totally understand both sides of the scenario.


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[mattbenich]

I am breakin in my engine and clutch but I always engine break and downshift with rev matching....min brake use when slowing and I never have a problem. I have a muffler delete so accelerating, rev matching and engine braking just sound awesome. I highly suggest engine breaking. Save brakes and keeps the components well used!


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[racecat]

Originally Posted by Chad11491

I just let the engine slow itself down while in gear. I don't downshift, just let it spool itself down and go into neutral when it's ~ 800 rpm. I don't really get the point of downshifting when stopping? I must be missing something.

Originally Posted by Jen

You can be in the proper gear for your speed in case you need to get the heck out to avoid a bad situation.

Also, downshifting can make it easier to stop in slick conditions, since applying the brakes is not always a good idea...

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by billwot

Yeah, so it will probably only last 500,000 miles, instead of 700,000.

I learned to downshift/engine brake when I started driving almost 60 years ago, and have done it ever since.

And I have abused trannys and clutches in ways you probably can't even imagine.

Never broke one yet.

Yep, same here......


humfrz

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by racecat

Also, downshifting can make it easier to stop in slick conditions, since applying the brakes is not always a good idea...

hmmmm......my experience has been the opposite .....


humfrz

[racecat]

Originally Posted by humfrz

hmmmm......my experience has been the opposite .....


humfrz

I think it's fairly dependent on road conditions, tires, etc. I have slipped some when I downshifted my FR-S on ice, but in my truck with all-season tires, it's much better.

Not to preach to our Wise Master Humfrz, but the key is to be aware of your surroundings and not wait until the last minute to stop. Gentle downshifting is more controllable than dumping a gear anyway. Sometimes it's unavoidable but in those cases downshifting is usually not going to slow you fast enough on its own.

A radio host here years ago was famous for saying, "The brakes are not your friend!" every chance he got. My dad wouldn't let my mom forget after she spun out trying to avoid a squirrel.

[Wise]

Originally Posted by WolfsFang

I downshift/rev match almost all the time I stop, helps saves on brakes

Brake pads are less costly to replace than transmission/clutch.

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Wise

Brake pads are less costly to replace than transmission/clutch.

True, but letting the drivetrain spin from such little resistance as engine braking is virtually nil compared to the pressure and heat generated from daily use under acceleration, let alone a track day...

All these claims on wear rates I believe are marginal at best unless they're used to extremes, such as constantly engine braking every stop at high rpm or from extended distances where you never touch the brakes, or synchro wear from constantly shifting hard at high rpm.

Just drive the car how you want, whatever makes you feel better. We all have our recommendations and reasons. Just don't prevent yourself from enjoying the car for reasons of paranoia that you'll grenade the transmission from engine braking or OMG my synchros and clutch! from rev matching.

Learn to drive smooth and it'll treat you well with countless smiles.