Automatic Trans downshift to brake dispute...

Hey who wants to give me an opinion on how much undue wear or whether it's down right harmful to an automatic transmission to manually downshift (AFTER SLOWING TO A RESPECTABLE SPEED) to allow the engine/trans to assist in braking?

I've done this to virtually all my vehicles in the past but I rarely kept a car for more than two years before selling it and moving on to another.

I can imagine that this practice puts more wear on the transmission's clutches and seals depending on several variables, i.e. load, temperature, speed to name a few.

Does anyone else out there downshift an auto-tranny to assist in braking regularly?

p.s. ...it seems that manufactures today build their cars and light pick-ups with a dual mode shift system, letting the driver choose an all automatic shift or one that the driver shifts up and down quasi-manually.

p.p.s. ...my Taco is a 2009, 2WD regular cab with the 4 cylinder, now approaching 60K miles

 

I do it constantly. It gives me some of the feel of the manual I wish I had but the warden won't allow. When we first got married I tried to teach her to drive a manual on the farm truck on an empty gravel road, and it just wasn't ever going to happen. The training session ended when she said this is stupid and got out.

 

p.s. Won't hurt a thing on your Tacoma.

 

Thanks for the replies, that's two for two on my side of this dispute. (... lol goes out to devkurf; "...the warden won't allow." ...)

 

I do it all the time. 67,000 miles and not a hiccup.

 

Isn't there some sort of engine brake feature on Tacomas to make the trans downshift on a hill? quickly tapping the brakes or goosing the gas a bit?

 

Fine

 

Well now it's unanimous with three for three in defense of my downshifting at appropriate speed junctures when braking as a regular habit, style or technique.

Thank each of you and keep your taco peppy...!

 

Most modern transmissions are electronically controlled so there's not much wrong you can do.

If you're talking about down shifting like when heading down a hill and not burning up your brakes, that's fine and the intended purpose.

If you're doing it in stop and go traffic on level terrain then it seems unnecessary. Get a manual transmission on your next car then.

 

I downshift in my 09 DCLB Prerunner V6 automatic when I'm in traffic to keep the tranny from "hunting". Gets rid of the surge as it's changing gears. Makes for a smoother go of stop-and-go traffic. I also downshift when on a hill in town. Makes it easier when coming to the stoplight.

 

Was only a matter of time till somebody used that line

 

Same here. You end up learning what it likes and what it doesn't. Its kinda fun.

 

I've been doing this since day one 8 years ago.

 

How do you do this exactly? Just blip the throttle when it's between gears?

 

Pretty much.

 

Might have to try that with the gf's corolla sometime. Although I can't think of many situations when I would actual do it.

 

BasicalY its like a little game i play with only myself. Trying to downshift and see if i can make it as seamless as possible. Not really any other goal that i can think of. But thats me.

 

Sounds like you should've got the 6 speed. Haha.

 

Nah i had a manual in my last car, i change back and forth woth each vehicle. Plus the auomatic takes the brunt of the supercharger better in our trucks. I also drove one with a manual and did not like it at all.

 

Yea, I can see that. I didn't like it at first, just had to get used to it. It wasn't bad, just different than my 2.7 5 speed. I found third gear kinda notchy, and still miss it once in a while. I hate autos though. For some reason I can't stand how you can't use WOT without initiating a downshift.