OK to shift to low gear downhill?

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Ron Wood) done axed:

I've been doing it for 14 years, and haven't had a problem yet . . . and I don't have to change my brake pads as often! As long as you're keeping your RPMs under redline, I cannot imagine what the problem with going down hill in low gear would be.

- Max - ======= In the future, everyone will be hyperlinked for fifteen minutes.

Just Say No to 6:5 Blackjack!

Like Max said, it isn't bad unless you're overrevving.

Though modern cars don't have this problem much anymore, it used to be that if you *didn't* downshift on long and/or steep grades, you'd quickly find yourself with overheated brakes and ZERO stopping power.

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

Well, it's a little different though,

although truckers do downshift, the REAL braking comes from the Jake Brake. which involves exhaust / engine braking..

Nonsense. I always use engine brake. As long as you don't go over the redline you are fine. keeping it in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range should give you a nice engine brake. Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

In The Year of Our Lord=-+->!! 1 Oct 2004 07:38:27 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Ron Wood)

Tell your friend that he is ALL wrong. That's one of the reasons they make gears...

You don't see professional truckers using their brakes going downhill, do you?

I have always used my transmission to hold my car (truck, SUV-whatever) back going down a hill. Even the few automatics I have owned. That's what I was taught to do. It keeps your brakes from overheating and wearing out so fast. Do you not shift down when approaching a stop light? .It's not going to hurt a thing.

Kate

98 Cobra Drop Top

Kate

Speaking of truckers, where the heck is JD?

| >2000 GT 'vert | | Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information | used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford | Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans, | 16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce | T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" | Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

I use the gear that keeps me at or just above the posted speed limit. Use my throttle or brake to modulate for the road. I don't down shift for a stop, I'd rather change my brake pads than do a clutch job.

Tropic Green Y2K 5 Speed Mustang GT P-1SC & Some MM Stuff

R> I have this ongoing argument with a friend who is against downshifting

LowER gear, yes.... there's a lot depends. Brake pads are much cheaper to replace than synchros (assuming a stick car) - but details are of no consequence, right? Downshifting will save our brakes - but at what cost.

Additionally, there is a great temptation to select too low a gear ..... this can overspeed the clutch and rip the friction surfaces from the rivets. All of this stuff was covered in high school science...... being a grade 8 drop-out, I am nothing less than amazed that graduates are having trouble with some of these basic concepts.

Word of advice: If you and your friend are ever in the mountains, make sure you are the one driving, not him.

There is nothing wrong with downshifting so long as you are below redline.

Entering into the unknown, V'ger seeks information used to maintain his Vintage Burgundy 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2 w/289 ci 4v oem A Code V8, C4 Trans,

16x8" Vintage 40 wheels, with BF Goodrich gForce T/A 225/50ZR16 tires, American Racing "Mustang" Centercaps, and a whole lot of other stuff; )

Why save brake pads at the expense of clutch plates?

Blip the throttle and you won't have clutch issues. If you drive a stick you got to do it right. Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

Yea...? I'd like to see you do it in ol Shug.

I could do it in my Explorer, my Chevy trucks and my Ford trucks, even my jeeps... but NOT in this one.

Maybe it's just fear it'self that keeps me from rounding off the gears while I get a 'feel for it'

K.

| >>On 1 Oct 2004 07:38:27 -0700, snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Ron Wood) wrote: | >>

| >>>I have this ongoing argument with a friend who is against downshifting | >>>on downhills (using the engine to break). Claims it's bad for the | >>>engine. | >>>Thanks | >>>Ron | >>>

| >>>2000 GT 'vert | >>

| >>Nonsense. I always use engine brake. As long as you don't go over the | >>redline you are fine. keeping it in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range should | >>give you a nice engine brake. | >>Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying | >

| >Why save brake pads at the expense of clutch plates? | | Blip the throttle and you won't have clutch issues. | If you drive a stick you got to do it right. | Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying