What's your opinion on engine braking as opposed to going into neutral and using the brakes. I can see arguments for both. Engine braking being that you save the brakes. The argument for rolling in neutral being that you are using the clutch less times, saving gas because the rpms say low and less strain on the engine cause the rpms stay low.

Let me know what u think

 

Probably more personal preference. I prefer to go into neutral and save gas. (this car seems to love to just roll without any power) Usually when I come off the highway, I shift into neutral like a half mile before the exit and I can coast all the way off. Works for me and I don't use the clutch as much, I guess.

 

I engine break a lot. I just enjoy bliping the throttle up for a downshift I guess.

 

Brakes are cheaper to replace than a clutch but down shifting is more fun. For spirited driving down shifting is a must for me. On my beater I always shifted to n over down shifting.

 

The vehicle I have the most data on is my turbo 2.3 '85 Ranger, total mileage right at 250K (Currently down from vandalism). I always downshifted, and I usually ran it pretty hard. When using the brakes, you actually need to USE the brakes, otherwise you're just using the fronts.

So, what went first? I replaced the rear drum brakes at 200K. I replaced the front pads and clutch when I bumped up the engine at 230K; the front pads still had 30% left and the clutch still had 60% left. My daily drive to work was 23 miles each way for most of that with 6 stoplights, but the change in elevation from the house to work was 3000 feet (I live in the mountains).

The clutch only wears if it's slipping, the brakes wear mostly based on swept area, so the longer you stay on them, the more they wear. Use 'em and get off 'em, and use all of them.

Just my opinion of course, but how many of you have that kind of mileage on your parts?

 

I prefer engine breaking. And I love the burbling exhaust note from doing it.
Nothing like ripping onto and off ramp and just downshifting and burbling up to the eventual stop at the light.

McConnell do you down shift to decellerate the car at all or just push in the clutch at say 50mph and then drop it in nuetral and let the clutch out and use the brakes?

 

quoted for truth!

A proper rev matched downshift = no clutch wear.

 

Ever since I installed the borla s type catback on my 2011 gt the manual downshifting is sooooooo addicting! Lol

 

I heel-toe on city streets... :shrug: Useless habit I got into... Oh well.