I want a little more knowledge on this, i own g37s 6mt I know how to do it but I want the good bad and the ugly in regards to doing it. Do any of you do it and are there any horror stories>>? Thanks in advance

 

I thought that only 18wheeler has the ability to do this. Never new you can do it with any 6mt? hmmm Interesting.

 

If you are referring to downshifting and gently using your engine revs to assist in slowing you down -vs- applying all of the cars weight and centrifugal force on the brakes alone, yes, I do that almost always.....its how I was taught to drive a manual transmission.

 

You mean engine braking? Big difference. It's harmless. I know that a few debate this, but the engine is taking more stress accelerating to 7500 rpm's than braking from 7500 rpm's. Just don't do something stupid like downshifting to first gear at 60 mph.

 

^ What he said! Reving down your engine in a slightly higher RPM range doesn't hurt it. All experienced manual drivers do it. It's done with down-shifting to a lower gear, since the result of higher RPMs without throttle will cause the car to slow down more, assisting you in braking. You would do the same when you're racing, only more aggressively. Just don't do any crazy downshifts that would jack you RPMs way up.

Even our automatic trannies do engine brakes on their own, and I absolutely love it! The only car I've ever driver that's awesome enough to do it. At longer freeway exits, I don't actually hit the brake pedal before I'm right at the light. Works like a charm.

 

If your engine breaks you're F'd.

spelledbrakingman.

 

^^ lol, good catch

 

nissan transmissions are the best, so just dont abuse them or you'll have problems. But thats what warranty is for

 

There's no real engine brake as you may be thinking about. Engine braking is just your vehicle slowing down without the use of the brakes. Your engine does generate friction, and if you reduce the air and fuel going into each cylinder, your engine won't produce enough power to sustain it's current velocity and will slow down. If your engine happens to be connected to one of your wheels, it will slow down that wheel too because they're connected and one is slowing down.
It's not really a brake, but yea your engine can slow your car as well as speed it up. Your brakes are far better at it. Mine will get me from 60-0 in 2.7 seconds. Go Go Pilot Super Sports! If I just used the engine I could do 60-0 in ummm, I don't know 2 minutes? Someone try it out and let me know.
From a "will this damage my car" standpoint. No you're engine will be fine, unless you're an idiot and try to drop to second gear while doing 90. Your brakes? They'll probably last longer since you're using them less. Your drivetrain? It's probably getting more wear. Unless you rev-match, but you never hit it perfectly, so you'll still get some synchro wear, and of course, you're using the clutch so you'll get a little more wear from it. Is the wear significant? I don't think so. Is it a pain in the butt and easier to use the brakes? Yea I think so.

I've driven a manual transmission in 6 of my 7 vehicles. Only had the auto for a little while since I had a 1 hour commute to work one way every day for about 6 months. Hated that POS. Auto's are just wrong. Anyway, I used to downshift and do the whole let-my-engine-stop-me BS, but then I guess I got old and fat and lazy and I don't do it anymore. You have brakes, it doesn't make you cool or anything like that, but it doesn't do any damage to your vehicle either.

 

Also its easier to change brake pads and rotors then clutches and flywheels lol

 

This is true but engine braking will not make such a significant wear and tear difference.

 

As most people think of 'engine braking' the answer is no, do not do it. There is NO reason to slow your car with your engine when you have such great brakes. That being said, there is a reason to downshift when decelerating [with your brakes].

If you are racing your vehicle then it only goes to reason that you want to be in the lowest gear possible at all times: 1) When you come out of your turn you can apply throttle as needed, utilize throttle steering, or simply go WOT. 2) Shifting in the turn is a really dumb idea. If you are going slow enough that shifting mid-turn does not matter, than this subject does not apply BUT you should still avoid doing nub-shifting as it is a horrible habit. 3) Some times you come into the corner just a tad hot. There is no need to get on the brakes again as the engine will slow you through the turn at a sufficient rate. This also applies to some corners that 'pinch'. 4) The worst thing you can do if you are in the entrance or exit of your turning apex (on the edge of traction) is get on the brakes. As stated in "3)", let the engine slow you that last little bit and work on your judgement before you drive that fast again.

So there I was... warming up my tires into turn one. I thought they were hotter than what they, soon after, turned out to be. Needless to say the traction I needed was NOT there! Rather than get on the brakes and go off the road I simply let the engine do the work as I continued to turn the direction needed. I got lucky (God was looking after me) that day. That served as a good warning to me that no matter how 'good' we are, keeping our ego in check as men is important!

 

I drove a stick for 12 years and had it with the traffic, now I drive an auto. I use the brakes to brake the car not the engine.

That's not to say I won't coast when I can, but I follow a general rule: accelerator to go fast, brakes to go slow. lol.

 

The only reasons to downshift and engine brake are for fun, for descents, and to hear your exhaust. Otherwise just use the brakes. I don't know exactly how much more wear and tear on your tranny you get from downshifting through the gears, but it could be as many as 6 additional clutch engagements per stop.

 

+1

+1



I downshift to slow down on a daily basis. Still on first set of OEM brake pads, OEM clutch. 66000 mi.
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