• 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.

is this a good driving technique?

W

welst10

Platinum Member
I don't know where I got this idea. But I've been doing this for a while now thinking it's good for the engine. Am I wrong here? Should I just keep the gear in Drive while hard braking? I have a 5-sp auto btw.
 
Originally posted by: welst10
I don't know where I got this idea. But I've been doing this for a while now thinking it's good for the engine. Am I wrong here? Should I just keep the gear in Drive while hard braking?
Click to expand...

Leave it in gear the engine will help slow the car down, less wear and tear on your brakes, engines are designed for some engine braking.
 
Yes. Your idea is just flat out stupid, basically. Explanation to follow only if you really, really need reasons.
 
Do you have an auto? If so yeah its a bad idea to do that, just wearing out your breaks, leave it in drive and get the benefit of engine compression for braking for a bit.
 
Not a good idea on automatic, only on manual.

If you have an automatic, do yourself a favor and drive it off a cliff (get out first) and buy a manual.
 
if by hard braking you mean emergency braking, then I do the same thing. It's instinct to put the clutch in while braking hard, as you bleed off speed too fast to downshift. I've taken it one step further to quickly shift into neutral in case my foot slips off the clutch or something.
 
Originally posted by: raptor13
Yes. Your idea is just flat out stupid, basically. Explanation to follow only if you really, really need reasons.
Click to expand...

Please explain. I thought that would aviod sudden heat buildup in the engine (at the expense of brake, but brake pads are cheap). Yea, I have a 5-sp auto.

kami333, how is that illegal?
 
Originally posted by: welst10
Originally posted by: raptor13
Yes. Your idea is just flat out stupid, basically. Explanation to follow only if you really, really need reasons.
Click to expand...

Please explain. I thought that would aviod sudden heat buildup in the engine (at the expense of brake, but brake pads are cheap). Yea, I have a 5-sp auto.

kami333, how is that illegal?
Click to expand...

How is slowing the engine down going to cause heat buildup?
 
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: welst10
Originally posted by: raptor13
Yes. Your idea is just flat out stupid, basically. Explanation to follow only if you really, really need reasons.
Click to expand...

Please explain. I thought that would aviod sudden heat buildup in the engine (at the expense of brake, but brake pads are cheap). Yea, I have a 5-sp auto.

kami333, how is that illegal?
Click to expand...

How is slowing the engine down going to cause heat buildup?
Click to expand...

I've heard hard braking = sudden heat builup in the engine. I am guess it's because the engergy in the engine couldn't be transformed to movement during braking, thus it transforms to heat.
 
I'd downshift to help slow down, but if you are slowing down really fast; you'd heel-toe to be in the right gear and engine speed for the speed you expect to be at the end of your braking application. Of course, i;ve always heard that you should downshift when you are slowing down versus netral when you know you are coming to a complete stop. Oh, an yeah, clutch in whenever I brake hard.

Let an auto transmission do its job, leave it in gear. If you are in a manual, then it depends on the situation.

On an auto, if you are constantly shifting into neutral when slowing, you are wearing the transmission that much more; it has to switch clutch band whenever you switch between neutral and drive.
 
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I'd downshift to help slow down, but if you are slowing down really fast; you'd heel-toe to be in the right gear and engine speed for the speed you expect to be at the end of your braking application. Of course, i;ve always heard that you should downshift when you are slowing down versus netral when you know you are coming to a complete stop. Oh, an yeah, clutch in whenever I brake hard.

Let an auto transmission do its job, leave it in gear. If you are in a manual, then it depends on the situation.

On an auto, if you are constantly shifting into neutral when slowing, you are wearing the transmission that much more; it has to switch clutch band whenever you switch between neutral and drive.
Click to expand...

I think you're probably right on the transmission wear. Also the engine braking others mentioned makes sense too. I think I'll stop this from now on.
 
Originally posted by: welst10
Originally posted by: TechnoKid
I'd downshift to help slow down, but if you are slowing down really fast; you'd heel-toe to be in the right gear and engine speed for the speed you expect to be at the end of your braking application. Of course, i;ve always heard that you should downshift when you are slowing down versus netral when you know you are coming to a complete stop. Oh, an yeah, clutch in whenever I brake hard.

Let an auto transmission do its job, leave it in gear. If you are in a manual, then it depends on the situation.

On an auto, if you are constantly shifting into neutral when slowing, you are wearing the transmission that much more; it has to switch clutch band whenever you switch between neutral and drive.
Click to expand...

I think you're probably right on the transmission wear. Also the engine braking others mentioned makes sense too. I think I'll stop this from now on.
Click to expand...

Good call.

Edit-there is no benefit to what you are doing and you are just advancing the wear on your transmission.
 
Originally posted by: welst10
Originally posted by: raptor13
Yes. Your idea is just flat out stupid, basically. Explanation to follow only if you really, really need reasons.
Click to expand...

Please explain. I thought that would aviod sudden heat buildup in the engine (at the expense of brake, but brake pads are cheap). Yea, I have a 5-sp auto.

kami333, how is that illegal?
Click to expand...

You aren't in control of your car when in neutral and the time it takes to get into gear could mean you get into an accident, or stall the engine. Illegal in most (maybe all?) states.
 
If you have an auto, then you should just leave it in "D". The torque converter will prevent the engine from interfering with the braking.

In a manual, it is not unwise during short emergency hard braking to "go both feet in", where you press on the brake and the clutch at the same time. This is for braking scenarios where you need to stop too quickly to mess with downshifting. Otherwise, engine braking is fine and is a good idea when hard braking over longer distances from higher speeds. In general, downshifting should be done just like upshifting (but in reverse order 😛 ), but when coming to a stop it is unnecessary to downshift into 2nd and you should NEVER downshift into 1st when moving faster than 5mph (unless absolutely emergency condition necessary).

To people who say that you should engine brake to "save wear on the brakes", I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are sick of your pompous bullsh!t lies, we all know that you actually own an auto, that brakes cost a fraction of what clutches and transmissions cost, and STFU please <^>
 
Originally posted by: Vic
If you have an auto, then you should just leave it in "D". The torque converter will prevent the engine from interfering with the braking.

In a manual, it is not unwise during short emergency hard braking to "go both feet in", where you press on the brake and the clutch at the same time. This is for braking scenarios where you need to stop too quickly to mess with downshifting. Otherwise, engine braking is fine and is a good idea when hard braking over longer distances from higher speeds. In general, downshifting should be done just like upshifting (but in reverse order 😛 ), but when coming to a stop it is unnecessary to downshift into 2nd and you should NEVER downshift into 1st when moving faster than 5mph (unless absolutely emergency condition necessary).

To people who say that you should engine brake to "save wear on the brakes", I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are sick of your pompous bullsh!t lies, we all know that you actually own an auto, that brakes cost a fraction of what clutches and transmissions cost, and STFU please <^>
Click to expand...

:laugh: :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: Vic
If you have an auto, then you should just leave it in "D". The torque converter will prevent the engine from interfering with the braking.

In a manual, it is not unwise during short emergency hard braking to "go both feet in", where you press on the brake and the clutch at the same time. This is for braking scenarios where you need to stop too quickly to mess with downshifting. Otherwise, engine braking is fine and is a good idea when hard braking over longer distances from higher speeds. In general, downshifting should be done just like upshifting (but in reverse order 😛 ), but when coming to a stop it is unnecessary to downshift into 2nd and you should NEVER downshift into 1st when moving faster than 5mph (unless absolutely emergency condition necessary).

To people who say that you should engine brake to "save wear on the brakes", I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we are sick of your pompous bullsh!t lies, we all know that you actually own an auto, that brakes cost a fraction of what clutches and transmissions cost, and STFU please <^>
Click to expand...

LOL. thanks. I knew brakes are cheap but didn't know about the torque converter thing. Glad I asked about this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top