I used to just put the clutch in and use the brake pedal only. I was wearing the brake pads out quickly. A friend told me to use engine braking in addition to the brakes. Doesn't this wear the engine out more/sooner?
2006-06-23 21:41:15 · 9 answers · asked by SmartoGuy 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No, it is not bad for your engine unless you are overevving it as you downshift, or you are already not caring for your engine properly (i.e. not changing the oil every 5000km). It will however wear your clutch a little bit faster, and put a bit more wear on the gearbox components as well. Where I come from gearboxes and clutches are expensive AND a pain in the a*se to fix, while brakes are relatively cheap and easy to do in a few hours. I would do all my braking conservatively to keep wear down on everything, but if I had to choose which components to put excessive wear on, I would choose the brakes over the driveline!
A good driver allows the vehicle to slow itself down through loss of inertia when possible, rather than relying on braking of any kind. Of course we must still use braking in many instances, but it can be kept to a minimum by keeping speeds and acceleration down when unnecessary, i.e. on an off-ramp from the motorway or interstate, or between two traffic lights that are 100 m apart.
On the subject of brakes - here is how you can help them wear a lot less in general:
1) When new brakes are installed on your vehicle, make sure you have both surfaces on your brakes replaced or renewed. When installing new brake pads ALWAYS machine the rotors as well; same goes for the brake drums when installing brake shoes. Two new surfaces will wear much slower than one new surface.
2) After new brakes (or a clutch) are installed on your vehicle, take it easy on them. Don't slam on them hard at all, and avoid riding the brakes entirely - see next tip.
3) Heat wears brakes. Excessive heat wears brakes faster. Overheating brakes damages components by glazing them (making them more slippery and less effective) and by warping them (making your car shake as you apply the brakes). You can avoid excessively heating up your brakes by giving them a rest between applications and by not applying them too hard. Try the push, then release - push, then release method of applying the brake pedal rather than just riding your foot on the brake pedal for a long time - it gives the brakes a chance to cool down between applications - even just one second between applications helps a great deal in extending the life of your brake components.
I see this kind of thing all the time and it pains me to see how few people know these simple things about driving. It seems like far too many people were never taught how to drive properly... or perhaps they just have an excess of money to spend on fixing their cars.
2006-06-23 23:39:23 · answer #1 · answered by bigcypress 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
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I think alot of people has the wrong idea on what engine braking really is. It's not downshifting. All production cars since like 1953 has factory engine braking in all non over drive gears Engine braking is when you lift your foot off the throttle and the car slowy starts to slow down. Cars with lockup torque converter and overdrive does not engine brake in overdrive. If you don't belive me on this, give it a try. Drive long at say 40 mph in your 1:1 ratio trans gear.. Take foot of throttle. See how car slows down.. Now do it again but this time put trans out of gear in N and take foot off throttle.. You will see and feel the diff. The car will roll much easier in N with no load applied to slow it down
2016-03-26 23:05:23 · answer #2 · answered by Simonne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to bigcypress.
There is no street need to brake using the engine. Brakes are a cheap alternative if you need to stop that harsh but they are designed to do just that. You can make the clutch (and your leg) even happier by shifting to neutral and letting up on the clutch pedal while you are slowing. Traffic conditions will dictate which gear you will shift into and it doesn't take that long to do so. With the engine speed sitting at idle rpm, you will save some gas money too and increase your mileage.
2006-06-24 00:32:30 · answer #3 · answered by Les 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, so long as you go back through the gears one at a time and let the clutch out gently. It is no different to accelerating really, except you're braking too to lose speed.
Not only will it stop you wearing out your brake pads, it will stop you sooner, safer and you will have more control over your car. It is the correct way to brake.
2006-06-23 21:47:19 · answer #4 · answered by J 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It wont damage your engine, but it does put more wear on the engine. Remember to change your oil on time, as your engine will need it.
2006-06-23 21:46:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just watch the revs. Gearing down at too high a speed can cause damage. Determine which safe speeds you reach when shifting to higher gears when starting, and just reverse the process.
2006-06-23 21:57:17 · answer #6 · answered by Dale P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basicly what he is saying is down shift and slowly let the clutch do the work saves on the brakes and really dosen't afect anything.
now i said slowly let the clutch out don't dump the clutch
2006-06-23 21:45:39 · answer #7 · answered by AzN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Thats the way to do it...shift up and down. An automatic trans does the same thing.
Basic shifting insructions...
http://www.ehow.com/how_3234_drive-car-with.html
2006-06-23 21:50:33 · answer #8 · answered by FreddyBoy1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i do not noe
2006-06-23 21:46:46 · answer #9 · answered by gerk05 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋