does it damage the drivetrain too?
In high speed, I shift in a low gear to slow down and press the brake softly / lightly to make a full stop.
it is an engine break right?
so, does it damage the engine if it is used too much?
It became my habit because I want to preserve my brake pads.
2006-12-18 12:11:43 · 7 answers · asked by ROCKY 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
When done right, down-shifting is an effective way of slowing the vehicle down. It sounds like you are doing it correctly. You should down-shift and use the brakes at the same time. What you DON'T want to do is shift to a lower gear when the vehicle is going too fast. When you "engine-brake" you are using the compression in the engine to slow the vehicle down in combination with lower gears. Down-shifting at too high of a speed or RPM places a very large amount of pressure on the pistons, rods, crank-shaft and bearings. I have seen many bearings spun on a crank-shaft because the vehicle was down shifted at too high of a speed. Every stick shift vehicle that I have ever owned, I down-shifted to help in stopping. I never had a problem. It is particularly effective if you happen to live and drive in the snow. Hope this helps. Joe C. ASE Certified Tech.
2006-12-18 12:25:23 · answer #1 · answered by joe c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do it all the time, except I match the RPM before shifting by tapping the gas as I release the clutch. If you get good, you can use all three pedels at once to clutch, brake and match RPM! I have a friend who uses engine braking in his toyota pickup like an E-brake (shift down to first, drop the clutch at 50, cut the wheel).
2006-12-18 20:33:06 · answer #2 · answered by Steve-o 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Doing that damages the transmission. Use your brakes. That's what they're for. You're better off to buy new brake pads than a new tranny.
2006-12-18 20:21:59 · answer #3 · answered by mbeast16 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard on your transmission to keep doing that (particularly manual transmissions), there's no practical reason for it if you keep your brakes in good condition. There's an old expression among mechanics that goes, "Brake pads are cheaper than gears".
2006-12-18 20:15:02 · answer #4 · answered by tucsondude 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does I'm tired of you guys riding the trans and useing jake brakes all the time wake up..
2006-12-18 20:32:24 · answer #5 · answered by Mudd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but use the brake little as possable, try jake brake on .deisel engines
2006-12-18 20:19:40 · answer #6 · answered by goofball 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no if it hurt the engine they wouldnt put in on the truck i use it all the time people say it hurts the engine because they dont like the noise use on my brother
2006-12-18 20:27:29 · answer #7 · answered by rvl40 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋