Like if you shift down and let the engine slow the car down instead of brakes. Not to the point where the engine revs to hard, but if you do it gently with a lot of time to slow down before each down shift. Will that save brakes? Is it good or bad for your engine? Is it bad for the automatic transmission? I have a 1998 chevey malibu 2.4 L engine.
2007-01-04 05:31:03 · 10 answers · asked by Casey 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
The most I would do is keep the thing in 3rd or second if it's snowy / icy out, otherwise you are putting some strain on the transmission. If you want engine breaking step up (or down?) to a manual.
Oh and forgot to add, if you're doing it to save brakes, don't bother, you can get a decent pair of brake pads that will last 50k miles for $40, cheap ones run as low as $10.
2007-01-04 05:35:26 · answer #1 · answered by Jake 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
I wanted the answer to this question as well!
I drop it in a lower gear whenever I want to slow down gradually.
Like say if you're approaching a red light 1/4 mile away.
It REALLY helps will passing.
Drop it into 3rd gear, hold down the gas to hold the speed and floor it at just the right time!
It TOTALLY eliminates the huge lag created by the auto tranny downshifting.
I've been doing this for ~2 years on a 5 year old transmission with no problems.
However, doing this probably increases your fuel consumption! (Engine revs up)
so ultimately, braking is more cost effective.
Best advice: watch ahead, dont accelerate if you have to stop in 500 yards no matter what (red light).
Hope this helps
2007-01-04 05:45:48 · answer #2 · answered by Ram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Downshifting an automatic transmission to a lower gear to help slow you down going down hills is a good idea, very few people do this but it does help save your brakes, and it does not harm your transmission. Your transmission won't allow a downshift if the vehicle is moving too fast or the RPMs are too high, a downshift from overdrive to drive can be done at any speed, but downshifts from drive to 2nd and first will happen as the vehicle's speed decreases. For example if you are going 55MPH and downshift to drive the shift will be immediate. However if you downshift to 2nd or first the downshift will happen as the vehicle speed drops. For a drive to 2nd shift this usually occurs between 45MPH and slower and for 2nd to first usually between 34MPH and slower. But if the roads are slick be extra careful downshifting manually as a forced downshift will create high torque to the drive wheels and can cause the wheels to slip and you can loose control of the car.
2007-01-04 14:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by Bill S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live on a hill side and there's a long downhill road returning home from the grocery store. I leave it in second leaving the market and let the trany hold back the car on the downhill. On the local streets I often leave the car in 2nd because at 40 MPH the tach only reads 3,000 revs or so. My Mercedes redlines at 6,000 revs. However, I don't downshift just to save on brake linings. Not worth the strain on the trany.
2007-01-04 05:44:38 · answer #4 · answered by Blu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's what its for. When travelling down a steep grade you are supposed to use D3 or D2 or whatever gear is appropriate to LIMIT your speed with engine braking. That way you don't overheat your brakes, causing them to fade. For normal driving on level roads DO NOT use the transmission to stop the car. That is what brakes are for.
2016-05-23 02:58:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Automatic transmissions cannot handle downshifting nearly as well as manual transmissions. Manual transmissions can downshift all the time without showing additional wear. Automatic transmissions will most likely require expensive repair when you downshift. Downshifting does save brakes and it is not bad for your engine as long as you arn't downshifting and hitting 6k rpms.
2007-01-04 05:40:49 · answer #6 · answered by Paul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it will not work mainly do to the fact that unless ur foot is on the gas the clutch for the automatic transmission is not engaged.
so ur not slowing the car down by downshifting because the clutch is not engaged. your better off just using your brakes.
2007-01-04 05:43:41 · answer #7 · answered by miliciaman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Auto trannys have multiple disc wet clutches to facilitate gear shifts.
Downshifting wears the clutch discs.
Clutch discs cost over a grand to replace.
New brakes cost about a hundred.
You choose.
2007-01-04 06:29:08 · answer #8 · answered by s2scrm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its ok to do it because Chevy have some tough trannies! Front-wheel drive that depend if you have limited-slip or posi-trac front-wheels! If its stock it shouldnt hurt a thiing except save your brakes longer! Its bad on transmissions with posi-trac or limited-slip diferental!
2007-01-04 05:39:28 · answer #9 · answered by will 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is no reason to do this . you may save a little on brakes but you will spend more on transmission repair. anticipate your stops and slow gradually
2007-01-04 05:37:22 · answer #10 · answered by D42D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋