Shift to Decelerate??? Bad or Good???

[kkaiser7901]

So I like to use the clutch to decelerate. I have been hearing from random people that im going to tear up my car doing that. Is this true? I'm so use to it i've been doing it in all of the vehicles that ive ever had. So???

[PhatAccord]

So I like to use the clutch to decelerate. I have been hearing from random people that im going to tear up my car doing that. Is this true? I'm so use to it i've been doing it in all of the vehicles that ive ever had. So???

please explain more in detail how you use the clutch to decelerate...

[trueCB7]

do you mean youre downshifting to help slowdown quicker?

[kkaiser7901]

Yeah i downshift to slow down quicker sorry weak detail in initial post!

[Boost_Lee]

i engine break all the time. Rev matching might help save syncros, but I dont see any problems with engine breaking when used from time to time in the normal rev range

[PhatAccord]

i engine break all the time. Rev matching might help save syncros, but I dont see any problems with engine breaking when used from time to time in the normal rev range

x2
as long as you dont mis-shift when downshifting, you'll be alright

[kkaiser7901]

Well thank you all and have a good night ill keep down shifting to slow then!

[GHOST 2.2]

i rather invest in 20 dollar brake pads than paying 800 dollars to fix your tranny.

(depending on what tranny you have)

[kkaiser7901]

honestly i dont know what tranny i have how would or where would i look to find that out?

And there isnt anything wrong with my brakes they are great, its just habit to downshift decel

[coletrain]

I never downshift to brake...waste of time and effort.

I'd rather pay for brake parts over transmission parts.

[deevergote]

Downshifting isn't going to damage the transmission at all, if done correctly. As long as you rev match properly, and you're not just slamming it in gear, it won't hurt a thing. Just don't ride the clutch to brake... I do that when cornering hard in 2nd (clutch braking makes for a very quick, controlled stop with the engine ready to pull when you come out of it... but it's very hard on the clutch)

[dano28]

There's no need to rev match with a syncro mesh transmission. I can see two problems with "avoiding the use of brakes by downshifting"

Drivers behind you are unaware you are slowing down because they see no brake lights

Unnecessary wear on the clutch mechanism. Brakes are much cheaper to replace.

I can see downshifting to slow when approaching a curve, but to down shift for stop signs is just plain STUPID.

[deevergote]

I usually do it when exiting the highway, in conjunction with the brakes (because yes, you can get rear-ended easily if your brake lights aren't on while you slow down!) The only time I'd ever use the engine to help come to a complete stop is when I'm afraid I'm overworking my brakes, or when I need the extra stopping power. I'd rather let 2nd gear help me stop than slam on the brakes and trust the ABS to help.

Rev matching will help save the wear on the synchros. A simple blip of the throttle with the cluch disengaged will be MUCH more forgiving to those parts than simply slamming it into gear and letting the synchros do all the work.

And unless you're riding the clutch, downshifting doesn't really cause a significant amount of wear. Allowing the clutch to slip is what kills it (as with the cluch-brake method I mentioned above... very bad for the clutch)

[Luna92]

i rather invest in 20 dollar brake pads than paying 800 dollars to fix your tranny.

(depending on what tranny you have)

haha im with you.

[Accrdwgnguy]

I downshift and brake at the same time.