rominl

iTrader: (4)

definitely don't use tranny to slow down the car. there is no reason to put that kind of extra stress on the tranny. brake pads are a lot cheaper, use them for what they are meant for

the brakes on ls460 are very powerful and more than enough for the car.

JTS09

We could debate this forever folks, but I have to disagree on the potential abuse being indicated to one of the beefiest Transmissions Lexus ever produced. I am in routine dialog with a friend/associate at Lexus California Corporate who is with the E&T (Engine and Transmission) group aka Lexus US DE (Domestic Engineering) and am told the limitations to the forced downshift for potential Over-Rev or Auto Syncro Mesh Phase Loop Linking and the Down Shift Rev Limiter Range they program in to limit your ability to force the Trans down beyond the safety thresholds, is far more than just adequate. Try manually shifting the Tranny down beyond it's programmed range for the load, speed and gear and you'll get a beep that indicates your out of the design loop form for that shift, and it won't Downshift, not unless your within the safety and engineering limits. If you make it a habit of ramming down your gears at the upper range of the programmed tolerance, you will stress the associated drivetrain couplings, but were talking some common sense downshifts here to save excessive brakeware on a very heavy vehicle. That's also one of the reasons why we were all taught to use "Engine Braking" by sequentially downshifting a Manual Trans in the appropriate range to slow a Manual Auto. Makes perfect sense, can save a lot of Brake Wear, and it's not an issue. All this, not to mention that todays Auto transmissions are the absolute state of the art, and made to withstand the exceptional forces being produced by todays High HP/Torque output. By the way, the Lead US Liaison for Lexus USE states that the GS400/430 Engine/Trans, and the LS460 Engine/ Trans are amongst the most overdesigned , race caliber units for strength, rigidity and overall bulletproof construction the factory has ever produced. They have not seen a catastrophic failure due to shift overstress,since the onset of production. As your probably also aware, The Brake Pad/ Rotor R&R work is not cheap at your friendly local Lexus Dealer. Hey, bottom line is if your not comfortable doing it, leave it in Auto and don't do it. Just wanted to put my 2 cents in, for all it's worth. J.

MythBuster

I did

Actualy the most imformative post I sow on the topic.

After driving for more than 30 years, you actualy can speak to the car, and the car will talk back to you.

When all car sounds or noise are put together, they make a symphoney. You just listen and enjoy or adjust your habits.

Part of it is art more than mathmatics.

And even if I damage the transmittion after 8 or 9 years, we always pay to enjoy ourselves.

MikeE12345

Has anyone considered the increased possibility of the guy behing you rear ending you as you slow your car using down shifting rather than brakes. The car behind sees no brake lights, only sudden slowing down.

JTS09

We have always been talking about this practice/habit being used judiciously, intermittently and with a huge bunch of common sense. Never obviously meant to be a replacement to using your brakes. Probably beaten this one to death now.Was just a supplemental topic. J.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that means he's too close