Downshifting to a stop
Do you drive stick shift?
I haven't seen anybody driving like that.
If I downshift, I downshift it to 2nd when I stop. I never do 1st and I don't think anybody does.
But usually I leave it in 3rd or 4th or whatever I am in. I don't think anybody use neutral to stop.
I haven't seen anybody driving like that.
If I downshift, I downshift it to 2nd when I stop. I never do 1st and I don't think anybody does.
But usually I leave it in 3rd or 4th or whatever I am in. I don't think anybody use neutral to stop.
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can you even shift into first when coming to a stop? my wrx only lets you go into first from an absolute stop, wonder if there is something wrong with it. I really don't even down shift when I stop, rather wear out my brake pads than my tranny and clutch!
stop with shifting
pro: sounds cool, less wear on breaks
con: uses tranny to rev engine higher, potential to over rev engine, using tranny and clutch more than you have to
I like stopping in neutral, never had a problem with it, but if you are on a track I would suggest down shifting when slowing.
stop with shifting
pro: sounds cool, less wear on breaks
con: uses tranny to rev engine higher, potential to over rev engine, using tranny and clutch more than you have to
I like stopping in neutral, never had a problem with it, but if you are on a track I would suggest down shifting when slowing.
Last edited by ontada2; Dec 17, 2002 at 03:54 AM.
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From: Lawrence, Kansas
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It's better to use the brakes, brakes are cheaper and easier to replace than a clutch.
If you are going down a very long hill then it's OK to use the motor as a brake to prevent your brakes from fading.
If you are going down a very long hill then it's OK to use the motor as a brake to prevent your brakes from fading.
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There have been several discussions on this in the past with the general concensus that it's okay to use the transmission to slow down as long as you match the revs first. However, it's my opinion that brakes are for stopping and the transmission is for accelerating, and why put the extra stress on your glass Subaru transmission? I'd rather burn the brakes and replace them with upgraded pads, rotors, and lines in the future.
that's engine braking...
I don't normally do that. I usually leave it in the current gear, brake to proper speed, then downshift. The only time i do engine braking is when no brake is required, but speed has gone down and requires the downshift. But always remember to tab the gas to rev match.
I don't normally do that. I usually leave it in the current gear, brake to proper speed, then downshift. The only time i do engine braking is when no brake is required, but speed has gone down and requires the downshift. But always remember to tab the gas to rev match.
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The one downfall about having a father who used to be a driving instructer is all the lectures you tend to get. Personally, I usaully put the car in neutral and cost til the stop tapping the brakes when necessary. However, my father always points out that the reason you should downshift as you slow down is because if a driver or pedestrian or whatever, jumps out, you need to be in the proper gear to take evasive maneuvers.
I think this is a pretty valid arguement, so when I'm in more congested areas with cars and people, I tend to always be in a gear when slowing down.
I think this is a pretty valid arguement, so when I'm in more congested areas with cars and people, I tend to always be in a gear when slowing down.
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Just repeating here that, while engine braking isn't all that harsh on your car, it can't possibly be better than just replacing your pads 5,000 miles sooner. So, unless you just like to practice rev-matching, want to hear your exhaust/intake, or are concerned about response to sudden emergencies, just hit the brakes.
But engine braking is definitely more fun, and if you didn't like fun you'd have bought a Toyota.
But engine braking is definitely more fun, and if you didn't like fun you'd have bought a Toyota.
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I'd like to echo the fact that leaving it in gear allows you the option to press the gas pedal to "go" if necessary. That sometimes means you need to downshift. I downshift to 2nd just because it sounds cool!
Also, there *is* a possibility that your car *could* stall while coasting in neutral. I remember riding in my friend's Jeep down a hill near my house. He was coasting in neutral and somewhere along down the hill, we hit a bump which caused his Jeep to stall. Can you say "no power steering or brakes?!?" Pretty freaky - especially when you're rolling down a hill at +60mph!
Well, he had to put it in gear and pop the clutch out to get the engine to kick over again. It is an experience that I would NOT like to do over again.
Then also, is the argument of whether or not to leave your car in neutral at a stop. Some people argue that with the car in neutral, your foot is not on the clutch, thus saving wear and tear on the throw-out bearing of your clutch. The "evasive action" camp says that if you leave your car in first and with the clutch in, if you notice that someone is about to rear-end you, you can quickly move your car without having to waste time putting your car in gear. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. Both camps agree that riding your clutch is a no-no!
LaterZ!
Darren!!
Also, there *is* a possibility that your car *could* stall while coasting in neutral. I remember riding in my friend's Jeep down a hill near my house. He was coasting in neutral and somewhere along down the hill, we hit a bump which caused his Jeep to stall. Can you say "no power steering or brakes?!?" Pretty freaky - especially when you're rolling down a hill at +60mph!
Well, he had to put it in gear and pop the clutch out to get the engine to kick over again. It is an experience that I would NOT like to do over again.
Then also, is the argument of whether or not to leave your car in neutral at a stop. Some people argue that with the car in neutral, your foot is not on the clutch, thus saving wear and tear on the throw-out bearing of your clutch. The "evasive action" camp says that if you leave your car in first and with the clutch in, if you notice that someone is about to rear-end you, you can quickly move your car without having to waste time putting your car in gear. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. Both camps agree that riding your clutch is a no-no!
LaterZ!
Darren!!
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yeh, i usually heel toe into the lower gear when the gear im in
falls down to about 2100rpm's. when you downshift higher,
there's much torque that it doesnt really help to slow the
car down (you'll end up using more brakes).
so if im in 5th and coming to a gradual stop, i'll just rev match into 4th, then brake and heel toe into 3rd and just let the clutch out when it gets to about 1500rpm. from there its all brakes.
i believe somewhere in the owner's manual that it recommends
downshifting when coming to a stop. i think downshifting to
3rd is enough, 2nd is usually when im in a steep downhill, and
1st is almost never.
falls down to about 2100rpm's. when you downshift higher,
there's much torque that it doesnt really help to slow the
car down (you'll end up using more brakes).
so if im in 5th and coming to a gradual stop, i'll just rev match into 4th, then brake and heel toe into 3rd and just let the clutch out when it gets to about 1500rpm. from there its all brakes.
i believe somewhere in the owner's manual that it recommends
downshifting when coming to a stop. i think downshifting to
3rd is enough, 2nd is usually when im in a steep downhill, and
1st is almost never.
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I rev match to a stop instead of using my brakes on slippery surfaces (especially on ice). I once threw my wife's automatic Toyota into second (it was a 3 speed) on an icy highway to avoid hitting the guy doing 360's in front of me (who hit the car next to me at 55mph)...it was scary, but it kept us from being in the accident.