Engine Braking

[dude1116]

Just curious who does it. Is it good for the Engine/Trans? Bad? Pros/cons? Auto/manual difference? Opinions?

I've read no harm can be done to a well maintained engine, and that it can actually SAVE fuel because fuel is cut off from the engine when the engine revs past a certain point without throttle input. I could be wrong though. Can't believe everything I read!

 

[tjkj2002]

I did it all the time in my KJ,just hit the OD off button before braking.With 5.13's in the diffs it really slowed the KJ down a lot by itself.

 

[yellocoyote]

I do it in the winter months as weather delegates - ice/snow on the ground. Also in the rare occasion (in the Midwest) that I encounter a longer, steep downhill. Outside of that, I don't do it for daily driving.

 

[CactusJacked]

My wife's car has a button on the shifter that activates a downhill control feature where the trans will downshift on its own when going down a steep hill for engine braking. It will downshift at least a couple of gears depending on the angle of descent and speed. Car manufacturers obviously saw a benefit, and no, you doing that won't do harm unless you shift into way too low of a gear for the speed you're traveling.

 

[CzarKJ]

I almost always downshift when coming up to red lights. Saves my brakes I think. Also keeps me in control incase I have to make a quick maneuver. (Manual)

 

[CactusJacked]

Well, with my manual trans vehicles, I don't use the clutch/transmission to assist braking at a stop light. Brake pads are a hell of a lot easier to replace than a clutch is.

 

[Snail Farmer]

I always downshift. I've never had a clutch fail on me.

 

[dude1116]

See I often do it in my automatic. The auto won't let you shift in too low of a gear. Just curious to see if I've been causing future me issues down the line.

 

[Luke]

Saves my brakes I think.

You are so right ...

I use my KJ for delivery... on a fairly set route. I can tell you that after I started engine braking more religiously ... my pads have lasted at least twice as long.