Engine Breaking

[Pitter]

What RPM do you allow the engine to reach before braking when you are using a manual mode gear to slow the car on a long down hill stretch that in automatic requires continuous braking?

 

[ruthrj]

I like keeping mine at 3500 or below. Seems to be a happy medium where I can pulse the brakes occasionally without spiking the rpms. Over 3500 just sounds angry lol

 

[Pitter]

Thanks that's about what I've been doing.

 

[HyFlyer]

The higher the RPM, the more "compressing" work the engine will be doing and the stronger the braking effect. I personally wouldn't be concerned with a higher braking RPM as long as it's below redline. That being said, brake pads are a lot cheaper to replace than engines .