Downshift or Brake?

[jcgrumman]

Here is a scenario I run into quite often; I am cruising at highway speed and the exit I am about to take is accompanied by a significant downgrade. I would like to know the optimal way to slow my land yacht (sho).

James

 

[way2evil]

Optimal? Depends what you are looking for. Obviously using the engine would save the brakes. Just use the brakes unless you are looking to have some fun. With an aftermarket exhaust you can hear the downshifts alot better so I do it much more.

 

[SHOenuf]

I usually just use the brakes unless there are more twisties and I'm looking to have fun. Is it a short or long downgrade?

 

[SHOrod]

Brakes are a lot less expensive to replace than transmission clutches. Save the excess wear and tear on the transmission and use the brakes.

That being said, one feature I miss from my G35 was the predictive downshifting and smart shift that would downshift if I was going downhill and tapped my brakes. It did a nice job of holding speed when going down pretty steep grades, thus violating my second sentence in this post.

-Rod

 

[TACAMO]

I have driven in the high Sierras on several occasions since getting my SHO and have been very disappointed with the lack of engine braking available by downshifting the transmission on long grades. Wife's auto FJ Cruiser works great but it's brakes or nothing with the SHO.

 

[thebigjimsho]

Brakes are a lot less expensive to replace than transmission clutches. Save the excess wear and tear on the transmission and use the brakes.

That being said, one feature I miss from my G35 was the predictive downshifting and smart shift that would downshift if I was going downhill and tapped my brakes. It did a nice job of holding speed when going down pretty steep grades, thus violating my second sentence in this post.

-Rod

Agreed. Now, owning a manual I do it all the time since I like to rev match but replacing brake pads a few thousand miles sooner is better than doing the same with transmission and clutch bits...

 

[SuperHO]

i seem to recall reading somewhere that the SHO rev-matches on downshifts using the paddles?

 

[jcgrumman]

I have driven in the high Sierras on several occasions since getting my SHO and have been very disappointed with the lack of engine braking available by downshifting the transmission on long grades. Wife's auto FJ Cruiser works great but it's brakes or nothing with the SHO.

Yeah, I guess that a heavy vehicle that has a small displacement engine is to blame.

Part of my concern stems from my experience of constantly warping and replacing rotors on my lexus rx300.

James

 

[esfoad]

IIRC turbo engines are notorious for not having high compression, thereby less engine braking.

 

[Wileytheman]

Like others, I'd rather replace brake pads sooner than the transmission clutch.

 

[Billm0066]

I engine brake once in a while and I find it to be effective but dropping it down one gear usually doesnt cut it. This car really likes to stay in high gears to conserve fuel. If the car were a true manual then engine brake all day long if you rev match properly. Not sure how this trans works but I would guess they programmed it to keep it safe when up shifting and down shifting.

 

[thebigjimsho]

i seem to recall reading somewhere that the SHO rev-matches on downshifts using the paddles?

It does, but I don't know if that's the same as using an actual clutch or not...

 

[esfoad]

I am also not sure on how much wear we are putting on the tranny when downshifting an automatic. I agree that there is extra wear on a manual system, clutch and throw-out bearing, so when I drive a manual I only downshift if I must accelerate, otherwise I let the brakes do the work.

 

[Showgun]

I am also not sure on how much wear we are putting on the tranny when downshifting an automatic. I agree that there is extra wear on a manual system, clutch and throw-out bearing, so when I drive a manual I only downshift if I must accelerate, otherwise I let the brakes do the work.

+1......revmatching notwithstanding, braking will be best and least expensive ware and tare IMHO (in normal, non performance driving).

C.

 

[rooster]

Why wouldn't you do both?

 

[Showgun]

Why wouldn't you do both?

I'm guessing that it's cheaper to do a brake job sooner than put the extra ware and tare on the tranny.

The systems are probably designed to be used in unison since it is a performance car so what you're suggesting would be fine.