If you use a manual transmission on your vehicle do you employ downshifts during motion?

Question

I am of the persuasion it is good for the engine and transmission. No stunts, just a sense of sometimes it can be done.

Answer 1

Do you mean for instances like coming up to a stop...downshifting to let the engine's drag help slow you down...and so on? If that's what you're getting at, then I do. I drive a small pickup, and a big 26,000GVW insulation truck...with the big truck it's a necessity, with my pickup, only if it's slippery out, it weighs like 150lbs, so the brakes can takle it.

I'm not sure it's GOOD necessarily, but I don't feel it's harmful in any way. It is good in the sense that it relieves brake wear, and a little here and there adds up.

Answer 2

It depends on why you'd downshift. Don't do it for no reason, it's not like it heals the engine or anything :b

Yes if you're going up a hill and need a lower gear so the engine doesn't lug.

Yes if you're about to attempt a pass and need the extra power.

Yes if you're going down a long hill, you should never "burn the brakes" down a long hill because they'll fade, lose brakes and you'll wreck. So you downshift (a lot if necessary, and slow down if necessary) so the engine's revving brakes the car.

Yes if the car is slowing down to too low an RPM for the engine, but the car still needs to be "in gear". It doesn't need to be in gear if you're slowing toward a stop on flat ground. It's fine to be in neutral as you coast to a stop.

Shift to neutral and let up on the clutch. DO NOT hold the clutch pedal down for a long time (for instance at a red light). This will wear out the "throwout bearing" inside the clutch, which is designed for only momentary use (long enough to shift).

Answer 3

Downshifting is OK and saves on the brakes of a car as long as it is done sensibly (kind of like everything else in life). Downshifting that results in close to redline rpm's is not a good idea for the engine or transmission.

Answer 4

Do I downshift? Yes! Is it good for the engine? Not really, but done correctly it is not all that bad. Brakes are cheaper than replacing the transmission. In racing, we have to downshift to keep the engine revs in the power band, but we are trained to use the heal-toe method of downshifting to prevent over reving the engine and to prevent compression blow-out.

Answer 5

I don't think it is beneficial for any part of the powertrain but I know it doesn't hurt anything. Some things to do are to rev the engine to point where the rpm's will be with the clutch out before releasing the clutch, this is to reduce impact on the clutch tranny and motor. Also avoid engine braking in first gear. That is an easy way to fry your (insert powertrain part here).

Answer 6

i down shift while im still rolling if thats what you mean.. or when your on the highway and i want to pass someone ill downshift from 5 to 4 to get the extra speed. i dont think its bad for the car as long as you dont let the revs get too high

Answer 7

Always better to downshift than to put strain on the engine.

Answer 8

It's sometimes necessary to downshift.

Answer 9

i downshift to slow down all the time. if i am going up a hill i can use it to stop without the brakes. use them together and you will prolong your brakes

Answer 10

yes you must make any downshifts yourself