Downshifting in a 6 speed

I'm a new owner of a 2009 Tacoma TRD-OR 4x4 6 speed. My first vehicle was a 5 speed 88 Toyota 4x4 Pick Up 15 years ago. It's been awhile, but I'm starting to get the feel again. How does everyone here downshift when approaching a light or stop sign? Do you put it in neutral and coast to a stop, or do you go downshift through all of the gears? Is there a wrong or right way? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

I put in the clutch and coast to a stop. Sometimes when I get close to a stop and think I may be able to get going again without fully stopping or if starting down a hill, I'll move into second without releasing the clutch until I want to go again. Rarely to I brake with the gears.

I've always figured brakes are very cheap and easy to put on, transmission / clutch / engine not so much.

 

Always leave it in gear,brake upon where you want to stop and right before you stop you'll hear and feel it chugging.Push the clutch in and go to neutral and let your foot off clutch slowly to make sure you are in neutral.

 

Ha, maybe this is the wrong way, but if I know I am going to be at a stop light for a while I put it in neutral and coast to a stop, but when I know the light is going to change soon I slowdown ahead of time so I can either creep in first or second until the light changes. In theory never having to come to a complete stop.

 

If you downshift while coming to a stop, then the truck will always be in gear in case you need to accelerate in an emergency.

 

When i drove a stick thats how i did it.

Also this will use the engine for braking which puts it into fuel cut, which saves you gas.

That stated, if you want to have a manual trans and clutch that lives a long time... dont go downshifting through every gear.

 

Down through all the gears like a race car

 

Does it only count if you can get a pop of flame out the exhaust?

 

Lol. That reminds me, I use to own an 85 toyota pickup. Just a little 2wd 4 speed manual. On the way to work one day the exhaust got super loud. After I got to work I looked under the truck and the exhaust had broke off right after the cat. It was literally shooting flames out of the cat.

 

Down through the gears all the way baby.

 

I find these engines don't have a lot of engine braking power if you want to downshift keeping the RPM in the 2000-2500 range. You'll notice that when you push the clutch in, the engine RPM will hang at 1300RPM until you stop which robs a lot of engine braking.

I used to downshift every gear with my old 4 cylinder but it felt weird on the 6cyl so now I just coast.

 

use your gear to aid in stopping the beast. .

 

Downshift...save brakes and gas.

 

but fucks your clutch, throwout bearing, and syncros..... all MUCH more expensive then gas and brake pads.

 

Not if you do it right..

I let my girlfriend drive my truck and she was coming to a stop light, going like 50km/hour and SHOVED it in first. I cringed and almost cried and punched her (not actually.. But still). One of the benefits of a standard transmission is using the engine to help you slow down. You shouldn't come off the highway and throw it in second, slowly let out the clutch and bang it off limiter a couple times, no.. But engine braking is beneficial. I usually engine brake until about 2000 RPM then go down a gear, and so on.. I think.. I don't really pay attention to my tactic. It just kinda happens.

 

Put it in neutral and use the brakes.

 

I've heard this method mentioned from various drivers. I will give this a try. Thanks everyone.

 

exactly.... and according to my OBD reader / torque pro fuel cut is good till 1500 or so like stated.


Thats alot less wear and tear on the trans.

 

How does downshifting fuck your clutch ?

 

How many synchros or clutches have you had to put in your truck? Just curious..