Downshifting
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 99
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From: Galveston TX
Downshifting
I read a post from a professional driver the other day who stated downshifting to slow the car will eventually harm the engine. This is how I've always operated my vehicles. Have I been wrong all these years? Hope not cause I love the sound of those Borlas doing their thing while slowing for the light, etc. :steering:
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 2
From: Walnut CA
Re: Downshifting
I've heard that its ok as long as you rev match. (My novice knowledge.) It also seems to have to do with downshifting smoothly. I'm sure that no matter what it wears on the clutch.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
Re: Downshifting (ddmau)
If you use downshifting a slight assist in braking it won't hurt a thing. What could cause problems is if at every stop sign you shift to 2nd at 45mph to slow the car down... this I could see causing wear as you're shooting the motor up to 5000rpm to slow you down. But, within reason, it won't be a problem at all. Just use the brakes and motor to help each other, don't depend on just one.
As for rev-matching, it's a great thing to do, and really separates the good stick drives from the bad. But, it won't affect the wear on the motor, just the clutch/tranny.
As for rev-matching, it's a great thing to do, and really separates the good stick drives from the bad. But, it won't affect the wear on the motor, just the clutch/tranny.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 1
From: cAshburn VA
Re: Downshifting (ddmau)
I used to use downshifting quite a bit to slow down, heck I learned to drive stick in a tow-truck (hopefully my old boss from 23 years ago ain't reading this!). The real danger is down shifting into a gear and engaging at or above the max rev. The rev-limiter only cuts spark or fuel on the rev climb during acceleration to keep you from over-revving. If you down shift from 4th to 3rd, and accidently hit 1st (if you are not used to a six speed, it can happen), or anything similar the power is forced from the drivetrain back into the engine and can over rev the engine into some serious problems. The most common problem I have heard of, possibly experienced (still not sure it was a downshift that caused it) is over revving the valve train, floating a vavle and ending up with broken or bent push rods or worse. :cry
If a pro was mentioning it being dangerous, I would guess this would be what he was referring to. Been forcing myself to get out of the downshifting habit.
Hope that helps, good luck...
If a pro was mentioning it being dangerous, I would guess this would be what he was referring to. Been forcing myself to get out of the downshifting habit.
Hope that helps, good luck...
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Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Downshifting (IFLUBYU)
I downshift often since I added borlas, and I have gotten into a habit of bliping the throttle to downshift and match revs. I realize doing this is unnesessary, but does it hurt the engine more than just slowly engaging into gear? :lurk:
[Modified by maddog, 3:05 PM 2/1/2004]
[Modified by maddog, 3:05 PM 2/1/2004]
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Galveston TX
Re: Downshifting (ddmau)
No, I use each gear to slow the car and enjoy the pipes...I never get even close to the redline. :nono: Downshift with slight brake if necessary sounds about right to me. :steering: :seeya
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Southbury CT
Re: Downshifting (Darkness)
If you're going to the trouble of matching revs, you might as well double clutch so that you also save wear on the synchros as well as being easy on the rest of the drive train.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
Re: Downshifting (Tree)
If you're going to the trouble of matching revs, you might as well double clutch so that you also save wear on the synchros as well as being easy on the rest of the drive train.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Re: Downshifting (ddmau)
If I'm coming to a stop, I push in the clutch, shift to neutral and use the brakes as I pull to the light--no downshifting.
If I'm just slowing down and continuing to roll, I downshift and match revs as best as I can and keep rolling.
Works for me.
:steering:
If I'm just slowing down and continuing to roll, I downshift and match revs as best as I can and keep rolling.
Works for me.
:steering:
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Southbury CT
Re: Downshifting (Darkness)
Been hanging with ricers recently???;) Double clutching was only useful back when cars/trucks didnt have syncros. No need for that now unless you wanna loose time doing it.
2. Double clutching wasn't USEFUL when transmissions didn't have synchros, it was MANDATORY.
3. What does losing time have to do with this thread? It's not about racing. If it was, we wouldn't be talking about shifting to use engine compression to slow down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 0
From: Lutz FL
Re: Downshifting (KAH_BigRedCorvette)
If I'm coming to a stop, I push in the clutch, shift to neutral and use the brakes as I pull to the light--no downshifting.
If I'm just slowing down and continuing to roll, I downshift and match revs as best as I can and keep rolling.
If I'm just slowing down and continuing to roll, I downshift and match revs as best as I can and keep rolling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Re: Downshifting (Automag928)
I rather replace brake pads than have to have tranny work done.
:iagree:
i down shift but tend to go a little heavier onthe brakes to keep wear and tear on the motor and trans to a minimal.
If I'm coming to a stop, I push in the clutch, shift to neutral and use the brakes as I pull to the light--no downshifting.
If I'm just slowing down and continuing to roll, I downshift and match revs as best as I can and keep rolling.
:withstupid: I rather replace brake pads than have to have tranny work done.
If I'm just slowing down and continuing to roll, I downshift and match revs as best as I can and keep rolling.
:withstupid: I rather replace brake pads than have to have tranny work done.
i down shift but tend to go a little heavier onthe brakes to keep wear and tear on the motor and trans to a minimal.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Southbury CT
Re: Downshifting (bmathews)
Doesn'y understand what a ricer is???? :conehead :troll