Is there any harm in downshifting often rather then useing my brakes to slow down?

its hard on the trans and clutch

its hard on the trans and clutch

I agree. Plus brakes are a heck off a lot less expensive to replace.

I usually engine brake first but it depends on my speed.

The answer is quite simple brakes are made to stop and transmissions are made to go. The trans does help in stopping but it should not be the primary source for braking. :SMILEY: Another way to look at it is--- "Which do you want to replace, brakes or transmission?"

Is there any harm in downshifting often rather then useing my brakes to slow down?
Don't do it. :willy_nilly:

Lots of advice here. As you know trucks use engine braking alot. Primarily because they overheat brakes and they engine brake to a lower speed.

As for sports cars, rev matching (heal-toe shifting) is the accepted practice. In fact high end exotics electronically do this now as well as the Nissan 370z (it's cheating).

There is nothing wrong with backing off the gas and having the engine slow you down. What is NOT GOOD, is using the downshift and letting out the clutch causing the engine to rev. It's BAD braking (you're only using the rear wheels).

It's horrible on the track - I've seen drivers spin out....

There should be no problem if it is done right. When you push in the clutch you need to increase the engine revs to match the speed of the car in the lower gear. If you do this right when you let out the clutch the car it does not tend to lurch as the engine comes up to speed. If you just shift down and let out the clutch without increasing the engine revs it is quite hard on the clutch and drivetrain.

It's about half the fun in driving a manual. I rev match and use engine braking, especially when taking a nice sedate cruise on a twisty road.

If the clutch or tranny goes I'll replace em. :thumbsup:

Downshifting for the sole purpose of slowing down is bad technique and hard on your running gear.

It's about half the fun in driving a manual. I rev match and use engine braking, especially when taking a nice sedate cruise on a twisty road.

If the clutch or tranny goes I'll replace em. :thumbsup:

just wait till you get the bill for clutch and or tranny than you'll grow up

just wait till you get the bill for clutch and or tranny than you'll grow up

I'm 59 years old. Growing up ain't gonna happen. :smilielol5: :smilielol5:

The only bill I'll get is for parts.

In 43 years of driving manual tranny cars (That's always my first choice) I've had to replace 2 clutches. Those were an MG Midget where the pressure plate springs broke and an Audi 5000.

Some of the others were a 57 Chevy with the Power Pack 283, Heads and Cam Tri-Power 65 GTO and quite a few manual tranny SUVs. No clutch replacements with many going over 100,000 miles.

replace pads or tranny? Your choice.

There should be no problem if it is done right. When you push in the clutch you need to increase the engine revs to match the speed of the car in the lower gear. If you do this right when you let out the clutch the car it does not tend to lurch as the engine comes up to speed. If you just shift down and let out the clutch without increasing the engine revs it is quite hard on the clutch and drivetrain.

Go to the next road race at your neighbor raceway and see the pros do exactly as Oldcars stated as they approach the next curve, or hairpin!

It sounds like I got to change a bad habit. You guys and gals are terrific. Thanks alot.

Is there any harm in downshifting often rather then using my brakes to slow down?

I have a trans pack kit in my tranny and they say you can shift up and down.

just wait till you get the bill for clutch and or tranny than you'll grow up

lol! damn bro! rough! lol However I did learn that the tough way when I was young!

lol! damn bro! rough! lol However I did learn that the tough way when I was young!

Sorry ,I just can't see beating something I love so much:crybaby:

Sorry ,I just can't see beating something I love so much:crybaby:

I agree, it is alot of fun!