Down-shifting for slowing down, is it bad for the car?

Question

Driving a stick-shift.
My friend does this all the time with his stick-shift car and encourages me to do it.
He shifts down to 2nd gear to slow down the car, followed by brakes to a full stop.
My problem is that the engine sounds to me like it's struggling. He claims it's not bad to do this (for either the engine or the transmission).

I know this "uses" the transmission/engine, but does it "damage" them over a short period of time?


Thanks.

Answer 1

okay, yes it is the proper way of driving a vehicle with a manual shift transmission. keep in mind
#1 that when shifting down you dont over rev the engine while still using the engine to slow the car.
#2 when done right you push clutch in shift then release clutch but when just braking people will push in clutch and hold it in this is called riding the clutch and that's bad, that will wear out the clutch.
#3 using the tranny and engine to slow the car not only keeps the car more in control and less likely to skid but it saves your brakes and keeps them from getting hot and glazing over.
#4 a "Jake brake" has nothing to do with the brakes but is actually a compression release, that's what makes that GRRRR growling type noise when you see a logging truck coming down a hill and their going to fast to down shift.

Answer 2

The answer to that is no. It's known as engine braking, and it actually saves wear on your brakes. In fact, it's recommended if you do a lot of mountain driving, keeping a low-gear during downhill. Obviously you have to balance the use of your brakes vs. the use of your trans mission, but as long as you don't do that in excess, it's not supposed to hurt either. Oh, and it wears down the clutch. :)

In fact, diesel engines for trucks, which are built extra tough, use what's known as "Jake Brakes", to slow the vehicle down without using the brake system, and it's based on the engine braking principle. A related product is known as the transmission retarder, almost the same idea but on transmission side.

Answer 3

hi i'm no longer a mechanic, yet my husband is. It does not harm it, it merely slows you down quicker. a reliable element to undergo in techniques while roads are moist! I as quickly as replaced into happy to be utilising a stick shift in very moist situations! the line have been flooded and that i replaced into coming down a hill right into a Hugh pool of water, and commenced to slip once I hit the breaks. If I had no longer recalled my husband telling me to down shift, i could have slide right into a huge site visitors congestion.

Answer 4

It's much like many things - harsh actions aren't desirable.

However, manual "stick shift" gearboxes are predominant here in the UK and, from your description of the driving style, he's doing it correctly.

Listen to and learn from your engine whilst you use it.

Answer 5

I do it all the time in my truck...when slowing down ill down shift into 3rd for example, incase i have to go foward somemore...i havent had any problems with it. but my truck is an offroading truck..so it could take the wear and tear...as long as our still shiftin when geting back up to speed i dont see it as a problem

Answer 6

Keep it within the RPM range without lagging the motor too, you will be fine. Driving and doing it, develops experience.

Most of your TRUCKERS blow the engines due to HIGH RPMs.

Answer 7

i dont think it's bad, but if you will make a full stop, i don't see why you can't just throw it in neutral and step on the brakes. i figure clutch and engine wear is more expensive than brake pads.