Newbie MT driver here. I was always told that you shouldn't really engine brake because its bad for the engine and that's what the brakes are for. They are easily replaceable as opposed to an engine.

So when I asked expereienced MT drivers they always say they engine brake. So when should I be engine brakeing aside from slippery conditions. And what is the proper technique to engine brake. Which gear should you choose to downshift into?

 

You mean the emergency brake? If so, it has nothing to do with the engine.. Not sure what you mean.

 

Maybe what he is referring to is switching to a lower/previous gear to assist in slowing you down. I dont really suggest this because the high revs on a engine will slowly wear an engine out. Just use your judgement! However, when driving in the mountains/hilly roads this strategy is very effective and will remove some of the strain off your brake pads !

Andy

 

It's absolutely necessary in stop-and-go gridlock traffic. Else you'd be clutching every three seconds, and your foot would get very very tired.

 

I'm new to manual as well. Someone told me that when coming up to a certain stop (one you know you will have to come to a complete stop at) you should keep the transmission engaged as long as possible and only press in the clutch at the last minute. I usually press the clutch in long before I get there, so the engine can just idle nicely while I coast to the stop. Which is better? or is it kind of up to the driver?

 

Engine braking is usually used when driving down steep declines/mountain roads. If you ride your brakes long enough they'll heat up to the point where they'll exhibit fade, and then you'll press harder and harder and you won't slow down as the pads smoke and brake fluid boils. Therefore, you should go, say, from 4th to 3rd and let the resistance from the engine help keep the car from going too fast downhill. Visualize: your foot is off the accelerator pedal and brake, you have gone from 4th to 3rd, and you aren't slowing down or speeding up while going downhill. The resistance from the engine in 3rd gear is keeping the car at an even pace. The same could be done using the brakes only, but they'll just keep getting hotter and hotter, leading to fade and possible failure. So engine braking will take some of the work off the brakes and you'll have braking power when you really need it, i.e. at a stop sign or in an emergency. Normally, you won't be engine braking for long periods, so don't fret about higher than normal engine rpm's. Otherwise, for normal driving, it is unneccesary. It'll only require you to make extra shifts at each stop. My recommendation is to use your brakes only for normal driving.

 

Safe practice would be to engage the clutch right before you stop, then brake. You have less control over the car when you coast with the clutch.

 

I wouldn't exactly agree with that suggestion. By keeping the clutch engaged till the last second, you may be putting a load on the engine and causing it to bog, because the engine wants to idle and rotate the flywheel faster than the clutch is allowing it to, because it is still engaged. Pressing in the clutch is okay, but I would suggest when coming to a stop to shift into neutral once whatever gear you're in drops below 1500 or so, and just utilize the brakes to stop. That's what they're for. The engine is for moving, not braking- atleast as far as normal driving is concerned.

 

Actually I meant to say you have less control over the car when you coast in neutral!

 

I hit the clutch, rev match, then downshift

 

Yea control of the car is a big plus with engine braking.

I kinda learned when to use it and when not to. I have about 200,000 miles on stick (and I'm only 21!). It's not like I roll around wondering whether to cruise in gear or in neutral. Just get a feel for how you like to drive.

I'm a firm believer that there's not right answer to this question, except for the two good points about mountain decline, and emergency car control.