Do you guys use engine braking?

[Hikaru9]

Primarily for the manual tranny drivers, do you guys use engine braking while slowing down? I have been doing it for many years, but people seem to be divided on this issue. Some are for it saying that it saves the brakes for not much added wear on the engine, while others are against it saying that it puts lots of wear on the clutch and is a pain in the rear (since you have to shift more).

What are your opinions?

 

[fatti03msp]

i love to shift and i love the sound you get when you downshift, so i always engine brake.

 

[clos561]

never..i like my gas

 

[Kosh]

I like the idea and I use it when I see I'm going to have to slow down soon. Like it for exiting the highway or not-so-sharp turns. Plus it is cool to not let the person behind you know you are slowing down by having the brake lights come on.

I'm still new to the idea and hope I am doing it the right way. Get it into gear, give it some gas to bring the rpm up and dump the clutch right? When it gives a big lurch I think I am doing it wrong

 

[jred321]

never..i like my gas

huh? throttle plate closed = minimal gas used.

the only real issue is that you are using your clutch more and given that clutches are a friction material the more you use it the quicker it will wear out. if done correctly with rev matching the extra wear can be kept down to a minimum. i do it, i can't really think why though so i guess it's just for fun

 

[Kosh]

huh? throttle plate closed = minimal gas used.

the only real issue is that you are using your clutch more and given that clutches are a friction material the more you use it the quicker it will wear out. if done correctly with rev matching the extra wear can be kept down to a minimum. i do it, i can't really think why though so i guess it's just for fun

It adds to the "driving a standard experience"

 

[CTGrey02]

I do it all the time. I like to keep the person behind me paying attention, and I don't like the nose dive if I happen upon a cop.

 

[clos561]

huh? throttle plate closed = minimal gas used.

the only real issue is that you are using your clutch more and given that clutches are a friction material the more you use it the quicker it will wear out. if done correctly with rev matching the extra wear can be kept down to a minimum. i do it, i can't really think why though so i guess it's just for fun

i would think since the rpms are high gas use is also higher than jsut neutral and rolling then just barely braking..thats how i brake

 

[GoFast]

i do at times.

 

[Rotus8]

If you shift into neutral and use the brakes, the engine is idling and using gas to keep it turning. If you engine brake, the ECU shuts the gas off completely. Look Ma, I'm saving gas by doing this!

 

[clos561]

how tho? the rpms are higher... it would take mroe fuel to turn the motor at high rpms compared to neutral roll and using my brakes...i dont get it(braindead

 

[TheDutchGun]

I Always downshift. It's especially helpful in the winter although I don't drive my Mustang in the winter.

 

[Hikaru9]

I like the idea and I use it when I see I'm going to have to slow down soon. Like it for exiting the highway or not-so-sharp turns. Plus it is cool to not let the person behind you know you are slowing down by having the brake lights come on.

I'm still new to the idea and hope I am doing it the right way. Get it into gear, give it some gas to bring the rpm up and dump the clutch right? When it gives a big lurch I think I am doing it wrong

Until you get rear-ended by a semi that is. I know what you're saying though... it's a great way to give a heads up to those inconsiderate tailgaters. *^_^*

From what you've described, it seems like you're getting the hang of rev-matching.

 

[jred321]

how tho? the rpms are higher... it would take mroe fuel to turn the motor at high rpms compared to neutral roll and using my brakes...i dont get it(braindead

for combustion you need 3 pieces: air, fuel and spark. when the throttle plate is closed, (almost) no more air. the other 2 components are eliminated or as close as they can be. i'm not so sure it shuts off fuel, but you're definitely using as little as possible. your transmission keeps your engine at those RPMs, not combustion. think of fuel usage more of a function of engine load than rpm, meaning the further your right foot is down the more fuel your engine is using. right foot off the gas pedal? best situation you can have for fuel economy

 

[clos561]

but it still uses more gas than just rolling in neutral and braking..right?

 

[Hikaru9]

i would think since the rpms are high gas use is also higher than jsut neutral and rolling then just barely braking..thats how i brake

On a safety note I for one think that it's dangerous to coast at any given moment. If some emergency situation arises, you don't get to control your vehicle with power, until you shift back into gear that is -> with added delay.

 

[clos561]

On a safety note I for one think that it's dangerous to coast at any given moment. If some emergency situation arises, you don't get to control your vehicle with power, until you shift back into gear that is -> with added delay.

yea thats tru but nothing usually happens and i may not be able to avoid something regardless...i can still turn and brake if i need to to avoid hitting someone that cut me off or something..but i understand what u mean

 

[jred321]

but it still uses more gas than just rolling in neutral and braking..right?

if you're in neutral it is still totally combustion keeping your engine running, the energy the rolling wheels were feeding back to help the engine turn is no longer there and it has to keep itself going. any difference should be very small either way because both use very little gas compared to how much is in your tank.

 

[clos561]

so i guess the only down side is more clutch wear?

 

[jred321]

so i guess the only down side is more clutch wear?

pretty much, and if learn to downshift correctly the extra wear should be minimal