Hello fellow Lexums!

I just got an '08 RX350 AWD and I love it. My previous car was a stick-shift Maseratti, re-built in a Mazda3 body... ok ok it was just a plain old Mazda3.

My question is: Is it normal for the engine not to downshift/engine-brake when I apply the brake pedal? This is my first automatic and I'm always worried I'm baking my pads...

Thanks in advance,

David

 

Yes it is. It tends to adapt to your driving style. I would prefer to bake my pads before anything engine/transmission for sure.

 

David,
Alchemist is right. As long as it is not a HARD shift down that is pretty normal. If you feel a jerk reaction than that is usually abnormal, but a smooth downshift shortly after applying brakes is normal.

 

Thank you both for your replies.

To be clear, I'm not observing any downshift whatsoever. The RPMs stay the same. Is that normal?

 

Most automatics do not downshift when heading downhill. The only ones I have seen do this are Honda vehicles.

 

And Mercedes vehicles do this as well.

 

I've seen it in my friend's Honda. Oddly enough, I saw my Lexus do it yesterday, on a very steep grade.