427 
To downshift or not downshift?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 123
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To downshift or not downshift?
2013 427 6 spd vert. Do most of you downshift when coming to a stop during city driving? Or just use the brakes to slow down and then shift back into first once stopped? I am thinking that downshifting may reduce brake pad wear. However I am wondering if it increases clutch wear. Please share your preferences and thoughts. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,273
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
Depends on the flow of traffic. Sometimes I downshift but do not let the clutch out until I am sure of the traffic flow and what gear I want to be in. Not sure if that explanation is clear, but anyhow I almost always downshift one way or another.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Ahead of You :)
St. Jude Donor '14
2013 427 6 spd vert. Do most of you downshift when coming to a stop during city driving? Or just use the brakes to slow down and then shift back into first once stopped? I am thinking that downshifting may reduce brake pad wear. However I am wondering if it increases clutch wear. Please share your preferences and thoughts. Thanks.
yes it'll increase clutch wear (unless you're a maser at rev matching...and even so it'll still wear)
Brakes are cheaper than clutch. Simple solution.
Only time I do it is if I know I'm about to get moving again (e.g. I'm coming up to a corner and I know I'm not stopping). If I know I'm coming to a complete stop (or almost a complete stop). It's neutral once I hit 1000rpm
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
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From: Jupiter Fl
Depends on how your driving. In normal daily driving it does not matter much. Generally speaking, brakes are much cheaper to replace than a clutch, of course if your hard on the brakes all the time (Competition driving, mountain roads etc) and overheat them, you could find yourself in trouble !! 
Downshifting can and will get you slowed down with less brake use. So everything is a trade off. Do whats right for your driving situation. 
Downshifting can and will get you slowed down with less brake use. So everything is a trade off. Do whats right for your driving situation.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,938
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From: Huntsville AL
I always figure that the best way to slow down is to use the brakes. That applies to all cars. They are designed for slowing the car, and are generally cheaper and easier to change than other components.
With that said, go ahead and downshift when you feel like it. Life is too short to worry about such things.
With that said, go ahead and downshift when you feel like it. Life is too short to worry about such things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,203
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From: Englewood OH
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It is better to use the brakes. I downshift when coming to a stop because it helps retain my heel and toe downshifting skills for the track. I am using the brakes to slow the car and not the engine. I have the left side of the ball of my right foot on the brake and the right side of the ball of the foot on the gas pedal so i can blip the throttle and downshift.
Bill
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Bay Area Ca.
I down shift because it is fun I try and use the brake pedal as little as possible. I like to think ahead to determine my speed needed for different driving scenarios.
Just a game I play and I am sure people think that my brake lights do not work.
Now if a dangerous situation is ahead I will warn others behind be with hazard flasher or repeated brake taps.
Just a game I play and I am sure people think that my brake lights do not work.
Now if a dangerous situation is ahead I will warn others behind be with hazard flasher or repeated brake taps.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Olmsted Falls Ohio
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '24
One other item that wears but not mentioned so far are the synchros. Every shift that happens while the car is moving wears on the synchros, regardless of rev-matching or not.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
As said before - brake pads are MUCH cheaper to replace than a clutch. I would imagine that the rev matching of the newer C6's would reduce clutch wear some though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I have an A4 and never downshift.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 606
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From: Buena Park CA
You bought this car to have fun so drive it that way. I like to down shift some times and other times I don't bother. Anyway you drive it, will cause wear on something.
I also don't worry about gas mileage. I tried once to test the gas mileage by really babying the car using one full tank. I got so bored driving the car that way that I only made it through half the tank before I gave up.
I also don't worry about gas mileage. I tried once to test the gas mileage by really babying the car using one full tank. I got so bored driving the car that way that I only made it through half the tank before I gave up.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
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From: Chirper Island
You could, though. "A" is not the only gear you have.
It gives you a certain measure of control and power if you use the rest of the gears. Try it, you might even like it.
