zzz350zzz

some guy told me that he could brake without using the brake. he does it by downshifting only. he is using the engine and the gear to slow the vehicle down.

is it possible? any disvantages of doing it this way?

thanks

stein

iTrader: (3)

You can't "stop" without using the brake! But engine braking will slow you down and depending on how it's used it can do next to no harm. If abused I'm sure it can cause the engine as well as the tranny to wear more. Brakes are cheaper IMO.

MeetJoeAsian

technically, you CAN stop and stall the car downshifting...well..I guess it's more of of getting to next to stalling depending on the road surface level...

Z_Driver

iTrader: (3)

You can stop without using the brakes. I do it all the time. You just start coasting a lot sooner than most. You downshift until you get to a very slow rate and then coast for a hundred feet or so. You'll stop. Especially if you are on a uphill grade it's really easy. You'll have to put on your brake once you stop or ride the clutch however or you'll roll backwards.

This is one of my skills test I give myself almost everyday. Now, in an automatic it's a bit more difficult as you have to coast that last hundred feet in neutral.

zstreet86

iTrader: (4)

it comes with experience of driving stick, youll just know when to do it without thinking about it...

evolved326

I think its possible.

Some guy told me he can accelerate by moving his foot like he's running while sitting in the drivers seat. He also has an elephant for a kitchen sink. I think his name was Fred. Fred Fonestone or something. Plus, Im high..

davidv

iTrader: (2)

Who could possibly question such a reliable source?

Z_Driver

iTrader: (3)

Yabba Dabba Dooo !!!

Armitage

iTrader: (15)

There is nothing wrong with engine braking so long as you properly rev-match when shifting.

Ultimately, though, most of the time you will have to use the brakes anyway.

35TH ANY

iTrader: (5)

I'd rather replace the brakes than the clutch.

HitLines

iTrader: (2)

Brake pads are cheap. Use your brakes!

keosh

iTrader: (9)

downshift and when u see that red light in front of you use the brakes thats that you wont be huurting your car

trains1937

Next thing you know there will be a thread on starting the car without using the engine.

failsafe306

iTrader: (38)

What happened to our beloved forum? Is this drivers ed now? Threads about shifting and braking and blind spots.....come on now.

I can see the thread title now: "Bump-starting a 350Z....can it be done???"

mikecamp

Geez, I hear this all the time. You are going to replace brakes before your clutch anyway. I've own six manual vehicles in my time and have never had to replace a clutch. It's been my experience that engine braking will prolong your brakes. I engine brake all the time and generally have to replace a vehicle's brakes at about 70k-80k mark, which is pretty good. Yeah, most of my miles have always been highway, but who engine brakes exclusively in city traffic?

35TH ANY

iTrader: (5)

Engine braking is lifting your foot off of the throttle. Downshifting when you don't have to just to slow down causes unnecessary wear on the clutch.

mikecamp

Ok, I down shift as well, sorry for the omission. I believe my observations are still valid.

Zz_3.14_zZ

Ok, I signed up just to post in this thread. lol

The biggest thing I that I hear all the time is, If you use the engine to brake...it will break. The drive train was designed and built to propel the car forward, not slow it down. Monitor the way the transmission works on an automatic. Your just cruising along, you take your foot off the gas and move it over to the brakes. Note, the revs. They will drop a few hundred rpm, then the trany will drop to the next gear. They never really go more then a few hundred revs.

But when you're in a manual, you can be doing 50mph and dump it in 2nd and the revs will fly up and you just take your foot off the gas. Not really a good idea IMO. Replacing brake pads > replacing a clutch.