Do you down shift while daily driving?

Hahaha, I'm trying to relax man, sorry. I'm trying not to be a dick, but it's tough when people ignore facts, and instead substitute opinion.

Take this into consideration: I just got finished listening to a guy at work tell me that "Global Warming" is fake, and that Humans and our "industries" don't in any way adversely affect the Environment. He was dead serious too, it was painful. That's why I'm so pumped up, hahah, god damn it.

Speaking of global warming, toyota has helped to develop/gen. engineer a flower that will actually consume harmful greenhouse gasses. Pretty badass eh?
 
Ignoring global warming is similar to buying a hybrid car and ignoring the greater amount of energy used to build that car and dispose of it after it's lifetime than it will ever save in the near future.
 
thread jack - couldn't resist
interesting...no it's not on the detrimental effects of down shifting!
http://forums.motortrend.com/70/793...enhouse-gasses-lets-tax-cattle-nex/index.html

has anyone every witnessed the aftermath of down shifting you car? i mean can anyone say, oh your clutch burned out (prematurely) due to down shifting? or you engine is now burning 2 quarts of oil every 3000 miles because you down shifted regularly?
 
How do you save gas? If your in neutral you're around 1,000 rpms while if you downshift you'll be at higher rpms.

i agree, i think it would actually consume a bit more gas keeping the engine in higher RPM range more often then at neutral

it encourages you to decelerate sooner, and drive more conservatively than if you maintained your speed longer, consuming more gas. Also, downshifting, even at higher RPM consumes MINIMALLY more fuel than idle, as the engine is under high vacuum and essentially just putting in enough gas to keep the engine turning either way.
 
it encourages you to decelerate sooner, and drive more conservatively than if you maintained your speed longer, consuming more gas. Also, downshifting, even at higher RPM consumes MINIMALLY more fuel than idle, as the engine is under high vacuum and essentially just putting in enough gas to keep the engine turning either way.

Exactly what I was going to say. It's proven you consume more fuel when you accelerate from a stop and making abrupt stops, so why not slow down by rev-matching. I.E. EPA's are always higher on the interstate versus city. Just make sure you know how to do it properly.
 
Exactly what I was going to say. It's proven you consume more fuel when you accelerate from a stop and making abrupt stops, so why not slow down by rev-matching. I.E. EPA's are always higher on the interstate versus city. Just make sure you know how to do it properly.
right, plus if you've slowed down earlier into a light, instead of rolling from a stop (first gear), you can continue in 2nd gear or higher... eliminating the need to slip the clutch, potentially INCREASING clutch life...

short term loss, long term gain.
 
These threads are always funny. First of all down shifting cuts fuel all together. Compression is turning the motor, not gas/spark. You will burn far less fuel downshifting than you will idling. Think about when you push start a car or motorcycle. When the clutch is engaged the engine has no choice but to turn.

Obviously there is more wear on the car if not done properly. However, if done correctly the damage is minimal if at all and for a lot breaking driving habits is harder than trying to quit smoking...
 
Speaking of global warming, toyota has helped to develop/gen. engineer a flower that will actually consume harmful greenhouse gasses. Pretty badass eh?

Uh, if mother nature could sue Toyota, it would because plants & trees already do that.

But to stay on topic...I can't believe so many ppl bother to downshift when coming to a stop. Engine braking is useful but only in certain situations - coming to a slow stop at a red light in the city isn't one of them.

And I'm sorry but to those that actually downshift an auto, that's just really gay.
 
These threads are always funny. First of all down shifting cuts fuel all together. Compression is turning the motor, not gas/spark. You will burn far less fuel downshifting than you will idling. Think about when you push start a car or motorcycle. When the clutch is engaged the engine has no choice but to turn.

+10000000, my injector duty cycle is 0 when engine braking over 1500rpm. hence 0 fuel usage
 
Depends on the situation really but ive made it a habit to downshift a little. Usually Ill downshift down to 3rd and then ill just coast in / clutch / brake. I do it to keep the brake dust off my wheels lol and hear my exhaust drone :).
 
Some rather interesting comments. I think it just boils down to common sence..In my honest opinion..I dont thint either has a huge advantage of the other interms of using your brakes are downshift. I myself tend to just pop her in neutral and just coast to a stop. Nofor instance Im on the freeway comming to my exit where I live..Well right before i will ease off the gas and slow down and down shift to 5th..then 4th..but when ive gotten down to say 30 mph and I still got 200 feet to stop I just push in the clutch and coast to the stop while being gentle on the brakes...So I guess my driving style is a mixture of both..Its just a matter of where im driving..whats the traffic and rate of speed and is there gonna be alot of stop and go or is it freeway or country road driving..and then I will decide on those conditions on how many times I will rev match and use the brakes..to me its just driving and I honestly dont think about it.
 

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