Downshift or brake to a stop
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 105
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Downshift or brake to a stop
With rev match I used to always run down the gears when slowing or coming to a stop. Lately I’ve been going to neutral and using the brake. I still downshift for sharp curves but I’m wondering what most forum members do?
Popular Reply
Jun 10, 2018, 01:28 PM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,618
From: Southwest Florida
I prefer to downshift to slow down because it sounds so awesome!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 400
From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
Not sure how true it is anymore but it was said "A engine used for braking will break". Not so sure if that applies anymore. That article was written by sportbike coach Keith Code.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
I would think the potential to break an engine on downshift would depend on the driver - in that if the downshift occurs at an RPM range that is too high, and the engine redlines in the lower gear, and you do that too many times, then yes, you can break the engine. Or perhaps another error, like popping the clutch after the downshift, instead of a smooth release...
In normal driving, even at interstate speed, our cars turn what, maybe 2000rpm?
What’s the redline speed for each gear?
Unless you are cruising at 65 in 2nd gear, any single gear downshift is not going to bring the car anywhere near redline.
For them matter, most cases, even a 2 gear downshift isn’t going to approach 6500rpm.
Miss the shift or pop the clutch, yea, that might cause a problem
But that would be driver error.
To the OPs question, I engine brake regularly.
But I don’t go to neutral until the car has stopped. And because most of my driving is in traffic, I don’t use rev matching very often.
35 years driving a clutch, and have not broken an engine, trans, or clutch (yet.)
In normal driving, even at interstate speed, our cars turn what, maybe 2000rpm?
What’s the redline speed for each gear?
Unless you are cruising at 65 in 2nd gear, any single gear downshift is not going to bring the car anywhere near redline.
For them matter, most cases, even a 2 gear downshift isn’t going to approach 6500rpm.
Miss the shift or pop the clutch, yea, that might cause a problem
But that would be driver error.
To the OPs question, I engine brake regularly.
But I don’t go to neutral until the car has stopped. And because most of my driving is in traffic, I don’t use rev matching very often.
35 years driving a clutch, and have not broken an engine, trans, or clutch (yet.)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 955
From: Central Commiefornia
I rev match and downshift to have the engine operating at the proper RPM if I need to add power to avoid a situation that develops unexpectedly. Having the transmission in neutral, 3rd or 4th gear decelerating below 20 mph removes instantaneous acceleration as an option.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,980
Likes: 3,826
From: Bainbridge Island WA
Car in neutral, foot off the clutch (I'm OCD about the throw-out bearing), brake to a stop. If I suddenly need acceleration, drop it into 2nd and there's plenty of power. I rarely need to stop from a significant speed. It's usually a string of stop lights where you never get out of second anyway.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
For normal driving use the normal level of engine braking that occurs with the engine in gear but don't shift into much lower gears at higher speed unless you really need engine braking (as in descending a steep mountain grade) or expect to use sudden acceleration as noted by a previous poster.
Probably the #1 "danger" for someone used to driving an automatic but using their auto in manual mode is forgetting to downshift when maximum acceleration is needed in an emergency situation.
For normal braking I agree that brakes are cheaper than using the engine as a substitute for friction brakes but on the other hand I wouldn't shift into neutral forcing the friction brakes to also accept the load that would have been normally born via some engine braking.
Probably the #1 "danger" for someone used to driving an automatic but using their auto in manual mode is forgetting to downshift when maximum acceleration is needed in an emergency situation.
For normal braking I agree that brakes are cheaper than using the engine as a substitute for friction brakes but on the other hand I wouldn't shift into neutral forcing the friction brakes to also accept the load that would have been normally born via some engine braking.
Last edited by NSC5; Jun 10, 2018 at 01:02 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
Been downshifting to slow car down without an issue for the last 35 yrs as I only drive sticks and never had a clutch or engine issue. I always thought that was one of the advantages of a stick- less brake wear.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,045
Likes: 12,412
From: NE South Carolina
If downshifting to make a turn, even in town going from ~45 mph in 5th to 3rd for the turn, use both. Downshift and brake prior to the turn, then ready to accelerate after turning.
If coming to a light, just brakes.
If coming to a light, just brakes.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 194
From: Goderich, ON
In everyday driving, downshifting to slow down is unnecessarily wearing out all the expensive parts. Brakes pads are cheap and easy to replace. And getting hard on the brakes once in a while is good for them.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
If downshifting to make a turn, even in town going from ~45 mph in 5th to 3rd for the turn, use both. Downshift and brake prior to the turn, then ready to accelerate after turning.
If coming to a light, just brakes.
If coming to a light, just brakes.
Why put wear on the clutch to slow down. Brakes are cheaper.
I never use rev match when daily driving.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,975
Likes: 6,774
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
The only time I've EVER "coasted" to a stop in neutral was when the parachute failed at Bonneville! 
NEVER on the street. There I'm always in the appropriate gear for the next anticipated action. 
NEVER on the street. There I'm always in the appropriate gear for the next anticipated action.
Last edited by Avanti; Jun 10, 2018 at 09:43 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 193
From: By The Hook NJ
Hardly ever use rev match. I use both my trans and brakes to come to a stop. There's no harm as long as you remember to give it a little gas when you downshift and don't do something stupid like downshifting from 5th to 2nd.
In 46 yrs of driving a stick, I only went through 1 clutch and that was on a Datsun 310 that I beat the crap out of, and that was after 65000 miles of NYC driving.
Rev match is decent when passing at high speeds.
In 46 yrs of driving a stick, I only went through 1 clutch and that was on a Datsun 310 that I beat the crap out of, and that was after 65000 miles of NYC driving.
Rev match is decent when passing at high speeds.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 364
From: Stafford Virginia
Engine braking is perfectly fine for these cars. The engine, drive train, and brakes in the C7 are very stout and can handle this with ease. I typically downshift to 3rd and use that gear until the speeds drop to around 15 mph then Neutral and brake until a complete stop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 285
From: Ten Mile TN
Have you ever driven out west or in the mountains? Signs tell you to down shift to low gear to save your brakes. I down shift in my manual cars, trucks and bikes to slow.
Plus it ensures your in the proper gear should you need to accelerate rather than trying to find the correct gear.
