engine breaking

sam83uk · 9 Mar 2007 at 20:56

does using a lower gear to slow the car at high speeds wear the engine out? i figure you could save your breaks a lot of wear but if its knackering the engine prehaps it aint worth it

Six6siX · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:01

Engine braking?

I was always taught to use the engine to assist braking - ie not dip the clutch till just before you come to a stop.

edit: why would it damage the engine? :confused:

divine` · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:02

Break ≠ Brake

Tesla · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:03

It wont damage the engine, it will wear the clutch though.

I would rather change the brake pads and discs than the clutch plates.

Mainly because the brakes are an easy job I can DIY and the parts are not that expensive. Whereas the clutch is a little more involved and parts cost more.

Matt82 · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:12

how does it wear the clutch?

austinpowers · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:13

It won't wear the clutch if you do it properly

Vibez · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:18

If you double clutch it IE: match the revs on downchange the clutch doesn't slip.

Tesla · 9 Mar 2007 at 21:55

austinpowers said:
It won't wear the clutch if you do it properly

Yes I know that but reading the OP's post do you think he will know how to do that?

Vibez said:
If you double clutch it IE: match the revs on downchange the clutch doesn't slip.

Double De Clutching dawg.

Gaijin · 9 Mar 2007 at 22:01

You dont need to double clutch/double de-clutch at all. What you are talking about is rev matching.

The_Dark_Side · 9 Mar 2007 at 22:05

Vibez said:
If you double clutch it IE: match the revs on downchange the clutch doesn't slip.

I don't think you understand what double declutching is and what its for. if you downshifted as normal and simply blipped the throttle that'd do the job. double declutching is performed to make the gearshafts in the 'box spin at the same speed ie do the job of synchromesh when synchromesh is not present.
it has nothing to do with reducing clutch wear.

Dogbreath · 9 Mar 2007 at 22:46

sam83uk said:
does using a lower gear to slow the car at high speeds wear the engine out? i figure you could save your breaks a lot of wear but if its knackering the engine prehaps it aint worth it

No.

Matt82 · 9 Mar 2007 at 23:46

heel n toe braking for the win. yup

West · 9 Mar 2007 at 23:48

I mix them..

Depends on how lazy im feeling

CaneyJ · 10 Mar 2007 at 00:11

I mix the 2. I use engine braking in stop-start traffic to maintain an even momentum. However I use the brakes to drive defensively as people can see my brake lights to take the hint I’m directly slowing down plus of course pads are cheap to replace than clutches.