• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Engine braking kicks SO much ass.

  • Thread starter Thread starter
  • Start date Start date

I went up way north of campus tonight for a drive, and I decided to try and see how engine braking works on a 5-speed. The wide, 50 mph roads were a perfect environment to try it out, and I decided that I love it. I came up to a red light at 55 mph, coasted down to 45 in 5th gear, shifted to fourth, coasted for a bit, shifted to third, and then the light turned green.

It was awesome...I just gassed it...no need to decide which gear is appropriate.

The awesome 75F weather and the feeling of driving a brand-new car helped set the mood too. 😀

Every single future car of mine will be a stick, if I can help it. 🙂
 
I don't really like the feel of engine breaking. I do love putting the hammer down & shifting through the gears, though. 😀
 
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
 
Originally posted by: Dacalo
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
Click to expand...

I doubt it. It's the same stresses on your engine as accelerating.
 
Originally posted by: Dacalo
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
Click to expand...
I did some research over at the Vortex and the consensus isn't really apparent to me. I just did it to practice it, in case it comes in handy some day. I dunno if I'll keep doing the engine braking, and in city or suburban traffic it's a LOT safer to use the brakes, but on a country road like I was on tonight with little traffic, engine braking was fine.
 
All I'll drive is a manual, but that said I hardly ever engine brake. Engines and trannies are much more expensive than new rotors and pads 🙂
 
Originally posted by: jumpr
Originally posted by: Dacalo
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
Click to expand...
I did some research over at the Vortex and the consensus isn't really apparent to me. I just did it to practice it, in case it comes in handy some day. I dunno if I'll keep doing the engine braking, and in city or suburban traffic it's a LOT safer to use the brakes, but on a country road like I was on tonight with little traffic, engine braking was fine.
Click to expand...

It is not bad for it. At least, no worse than acceleration.
 
Originally posted by: Dacalo
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
Click to expand...

Engine braking isn't bad for your engine, you are just wearing out your clutch plate instead of your brakes. The difference is brakes are made to be worn down and are a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
 
IMO, if you don't downshift, engine braking is cool. But if coming to a stop, or downshifting a couple of gears, I would use my brakes. The longer a clutch lasts, the better. And brakes are cheaper than clutches to replace. Just a thought.

Edit - Too slow! :beer:
 
Originally posted by: silverpig
Originally posted by: Dacalo
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
Click to expand...

I doubt it. It's the same stresses on your engine as accelerating.
Click to expand...

Not. Even. Close.
 
I usually engine brake when I'm going into/before a turn, but also do it for traffic lights sometimes. It's definitely pretty cool, and a necessity if you ever ride a motorcycle.
 
ummm you know you save gas if you just coast down in neutral...


Huron parkway is the best place to practice race lines though.... it gets empty round 2-3am 🙂


edit:
i personally dont engin brake, because de facto youre forcing the engine to slow down with force, rather than controling it with throttle.... Braking with the instruments that are designed to brake seems like a brighter idea
 
Originally posted by: AIWGuru
IMO, if you don't downshift, engine braking is cool
Click to expand...



If you don't downshift, you're not engine braking...
Click to expand...
You can coast in your current gear until you reach a low rev number and then shift to neutral and apply brakes. That is, technically engine braking. However, it's usually thought of as the act of downshifting to slow down.
 
Originally posted by: TheBDB
Originally posted by: Dacalo
I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.

Is this true?
Click to expand...
Engine braking isn't bad for your engine, you are just wearing out your clutch plate instead of your brakes. The difference is brakes are made to be worn down and are a hell of a lot cheaper to replace.
Click to expand...
As long as you rev-match, you don't have to wear on the clutch. You can let it right out.

And yeah, properly done, downshifting is no more harmful than upshifting (provided that you upshift properly too 😉 ).
 
Originally posted by: AIWGuru
Originally posted by: silverpig

Originally posted by: Dacalo

I heard that engine braking is bad for your engine. Regular braking is better as the pads are cheaper.



Is this true?
Click to expand...



I doubt it. It's the same stresses on your engine as accelerating.
Click to expand...



Not. Even. Close.
Click to expand...
Providing some information to back that would be nice.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top