GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

Hey all.

I downshift alot to use the engine brake. This is NOT E-shift, just regular automatic on 2000 GS3. Is it okay to do so? What about up-shifting?

QBranchCars

Globe,

I think it's one thing to downshift to bring the rpm to a better power band, and another to downshift to use the engine to slow down your car. I remember someone saying once it's a lot cheaper to replace the brakes than to replace the engine. In reality, I don't know if your down shifting has any long term negative effect, but it's just my .02.

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

Thanks calvin.

normally people downshift to get to the better part of the RPM to increase power. But that'll usually bring the RPM over 4000 or so. When I downshift to use the engine brake, i try to keep the RPM under 3000 sometimes, and never over 3500~4000.

I assume that since i keep the RPM relatively low and I don't slam on the gas after the downshift, it should be safer on the engine than trying to boost up speed by downshifting.

thanks for your 2 pennies.

LexusRules

i downshift a lot and now the tranny seems to downshift by itself sometimes (it remembers) but not as much as i do. what part of the engine is it worst for?

crank? rods?

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

.......................... worst for.......... transmission box?
It'll one way or the other affect other components, but I think IF there is any harm it'll be mostly on the transmission box itself, as it switches gear too much and too fast, jumpin back and forth.

LexDriver18

I'm sorry if this is a DUMB QUESTION, but how do you downshift an automatic?? I can understand what you mean by downshifting with the e-shift, but you aren't talking about that?!?! Can someone please explain this to me!! Are ya'll runnin 6spd manuals!! LOL

--Justin--

chowder

Justin-
All automatic transmissions come with P-R-N-D-3-2-1/L. That's what they're shifting, not the E-buttons.

As for the larger matter-
In a manual transmission, downshifting is commonplace, and the saying is either you wear your brakes or your clutch. Having said that, my sporty manual coupe is on it's 2nd set of brake pads, and still on the original clutch at 100K mi. The linkages are loose, but I can't say if it would be much tighter if I didn't downshift ever.
In my GS4, I think the hesitation to use the shifter is the fact that in a 5 speed auto, the downshift to 3rd gear (from 5) is a large gearing leap (could be bad). If the GS3 is a 3+overdrive setup (it's 4am, I'm too lazy to look it up) then that wouldn't put much shock into the linkages at reasonable RPMs. Engines are tough. Engine braking down steady steep inclines to avoid burning up your brakes is standard practice. My only fuzzy area is this ECU "learning" thing in the GS; who knows the true impact there (not I).
Bottom line, changing gears from 2-3-D up or down is normal. Just keep the RPMs below redline, and never ever downshift to L. L is generally used for towing loads and only used from a dead stop.

LexDriver18

400,
Isn't this also known as "gate shifting"?? I've heard of it before but I'm not exactly sure on how it works. So, your saying that I can upshift from 3 to 2 to D and downshift from D to 2 to 3?? Or would that be the other way around?? How does this work? Is there any significant power gains?? Will it hurt the engine??

Thanks for the help though 400DGREZ... I was trippin for a min!

--Justin--

LexusRules

hey lexdriver

i don't think you can shift to 4 (M) with a GS4 can you? when you put it into M from 3 or 5 does it automaticly shift down/up into 4th?

its very very easy:

the engine will downshift readily from 5-4-3-2 but it won't if the downshift will cause the RPMs to go above redline.

from 2-1 it doens't do anything but jerk the car so i just do it when we stop at a stop sign or traffic light.

upshifting:

if you shift from 1-2, you are just LETTING the tranny shift into 2 IF IT WANTS TO, you are not shifting it up, consider the gear you are in as a block. if you are in 3, its like you have a very short 3 speed tranny, its like a 3 speed auto. and when you downshift from 3-2 it says ok, we are now a 2 speed auto and must shift into second, it will then only go through gears 1-2

yes you can run into redline if you leave the shifter in L - 2 - 3 (i dunno about e-shift gear [M/4]) and 4 (no one can top out 5 yet can they? )

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

so after all these talk, I guess GATE DOWNSHIFTING is okay as long as the RPM is under redline right right right?

RealMarty

Right.

Marty

GlobeCLK

iTrader: (5)

Thanks alot man, and all of you guys.

LexDriver18

Thanks for all the info Sasha, but I alreayd knew how to work the e-shift. I was just wondering how you "non e-shifters" use the gate shifting!! Thanks for the deatails tho.......I understand it better now!!

--Justin--