Using shift-mode to slow down?
Using shift-mode to slow down?
Might be a stupid question, but could there be any ill-effects from using engine braking with shift/sport mode to slow down? Like if you see a traffic light up ahead turning red, you slowly shift down to about 2nd gear, just to avoid applying the brakes until as late as possible?
Would extra wear on the engine/transmission make up for any wear you spare your brake pads/rotors?
Would extra wear on the engine/transmission make up for any wear you spare your brake pads/rotors?
Engine braking puts added stress on the transmission. Speeds up the wear and tear process as well. It is cheaper to replace brake pads/rotors than to replace your transmission. Use the breaks thats what are there for.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 554
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From: NV
I concur with the first guy. It costs waaaaay more to fix/replace a clutch or transmission than it does to replace some brake pads. The pads themselves normally cost 20 bucks or so. Just learn how to replace the pads and you will be golden. Trust me, it is a bad idea in the long run.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: MD
Engine braking is only useful in slippery weather, however with VDIM, I believe it's a bit of a moot point.
Question: I was under the impression that the 350 didn't use engine breaking but rather just modulated the brakes to give that same feeling?
Question: I was under the impression that the 350 didn't use engine breaking but rather just modulated the brakes to give that same feeling?
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I beg to differ. For my driving, I apply brake and down-shift at the same time. As long as you do not stress the gear too much (keeping the rev below 4K), you should be fine. For example, upon exiting the freeway, I will down-shift to 4th gear and apply brake at the same time keeping the rev at around 3K ~ 4K. That is how people would drive with a manual transmisssion. Unless you want to corner really fast, you can down-shift to 2nd gear and make a tight turn.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Windward, Oahu
If your going down a mountain, yes engine brake. If your just driving on reg streets use your brakes. Thing is one day you may really need your brakes so the less worn the better. Course this applys to oahu ppl who have to go over the mountian everyday for work.
It sounds to me like you're thinking of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Florida
Good luck, and you'll most likely sell your IS, before the tranny goes. Just hope no one I know buys it.
It is similarly bad for a manual. The brakes will stop the car without any assistance from the engine. There is a proportioning system for the brakes to balance front and rear braking appropriately, and using the engine as a brake only upsets this balance.
There is nothing wrong with downshifting going into a turn so you are in the right gear on exit, and there is nothing wrong with downshifting and braking while coming to a stop. But there is a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the driveline if you ask the engine and transmission to do what the brakes should be doing.
As everyone said - brake pads are cheap - transmissions are not. Simple economics.
There is nothing wrong with downshifting going into a turn so you are in the right gear on exit, and there is nothing wrong with downshifting and braking while coming to a stop. But there is a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the driveline if you ask the engine and transmission to do what the brakes should be doing.
As everyone said - brake pads are cheap - transmissions are not. Simple economics.