What's Best? Downshifting or coasting in neutral and using brakes?

Mr 5 0 · 01-22-2002, 07:25 PM

Downshifting is fine when done as described above and the RPM's are kept at a constant level.
It's the harsh jerking when you downshift too quickly with the RPM's up high that's obviously bad for both transmission and clutch.

When coming to a stop, especially off the highway, I generally just stay in fourth or fifth gear, then downshift as the car slows or if traffic makes it necessary to slow down sooner, I'll downshift and finally brake as the car slows to around 20 or so. Works fine and I've only had one clutch replacement in 114,000 miles (at 87,000 - and I could have gotten another 5,000 out of it).

Using the brakes normally won't cause overly rapid wear; it's slamming them on at high speeds or riding them unnecessarily that kills pads - which are a replacement item anyway.

Given the choice I would much rather replace brake pads than a clutch unit but if you use both clutch and brake reasonably, both should last a long time.

01-22-2002, 07:25 PM	#7
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Downshifting vs braking Downshifting is fine when done as described above and the RPM's are kept at a constant level. It's the harsh jerking when you downshift too quickly with the RPM's up high that's obviously bad for both transmission and clutch. When coming to a stop, especially off the highway, I generally just stay in fourth or fifth gear, then downshift as the car slows or if traffic makes it necessary to slow down sooner, I'll downshift and finally brake as the car slows to around 20 or so. Works fine and I've only had one clutch replacement in 114,000 miles (at 87,000 - and I could have gotten another 5,000 out of it). Using the brakes normally won't cause overly rapid wear; it's slamming them on at high speeds or riding them unnecessarily that kills pads - which are a replacement item anyway. Given the choice I would much rather replace brake pads than a clutch unit but if you use both clutch and brake reasonably, both should last a long time.