with a manual transmission if you down shift to slow down does that mess up the gears?

Answer 1

When done properly?
NOPE.

Answer 2

No. I've done that for years without problems. I do, however, blip the throttle a little as I let the clutch out in a lower gear to more closely match the RPMs.

I have a friend who holds the theory that the increased manifold vacuum that occurs when riding the engine down also tends to pull some oil up past the rings thereby increasing the lubrication to the upper rings, minimizing the wear that would otherwise occur. Don't know if that's ever been measured, though.

Someone asked this question a while ago, and an answerer did point out that if someone is tailgating you, and you downshift and abruptly dump the clutch, they of course won't see any brake lights and could end up hitting you, or becoming enraged by thinking you tried to cause them to hit you. I actually did that to a woman I worked with who was tailgating me on the way into work (decades ago, I've since matured), and she confronted me at my desk -- I swear she was ready to punch my lights out! :-)

Answer 3

Here is what we teach these days in advanced driving as well as racing schools. Use the brakes to slow down, and select a lower gear for acceleration, such as out of a corner. this means that the downshift should be done during the braking zone, before a corner. You do not want to be fumbling for a gear in mid turn.

The reason we no longer use the gears to slow down is that over the past few decades, brakes have gotten much better, while gearboxes have gotten lighter. Which would you rather replace, a clutch or a set of brake pads?

The high skill version of all of this is heel-and-toe downshifting, which involves blipping the throttle to raise revs as each lower gear is engaged. It is extremely important to remember that this is a brake-dominant technique, so brake pressure is maintained throughout.

A modern sequential gearbox, such as that found on certain performance cars, may include a "throttle blip" in the computer program which does this automatically, allowing the driver to concentrate on maximum braking. Many racing cars have this feature. It does take some of the fun, and skill, out of the process.

Answer 4

No, but clutch control is always useful, and not overworking the 'box by dumping it straight into a lower gear: Blip the throttle to match the engine rpm to the gearbox speed for a smoother shift, and less chance of wear, when using engine braking this way.

Answer 5

Yes you can, But not to hard just normal it will save brakes clutch and gas get the RPM down as soon as you can bring the car to an Idle and hold brakes when stopped, hope this helps

Answer 6

No impact to the gears assuming your synchro's work. ( ie no grinding when shifting )

It causes more damage to the friction surface of the clutch plate.

Brakes are cheaper than clutches.

You decide, brake replacement or clutch replacement?

Answer 7

not unless you do it constantly and at to high of a rpm like if you should shift up instead of shift down, it will take its toll. just about everyone i know uses the tran to slow down in a stick. jus dont over do it.

Answer 8

no, if you are braking and down shifting it will help slow the car/truck. .... you can mess up your engine if you down shifted from fourth to first ................ok peace