Do you downshift with the auto trans when you brake?

I have a V6 Prerunner, with auto trans.

I have noticed myself shifting down from "D" to the lesser gears when I brake. I notice it helps the truck slow down much faster than braking alone and minimizes my usage of the brake pedal.

Two questions:

1. Do you do this too?

2. Is this bad for the trans to do this?

 

I have the same truck but i dont do this. i doubt it will hurt the truck but again i am not a mechanic. When we go to the mountains i down shift to stay off the brakes so they dont get red hot when coming down the mountain but IDK.

 

there was similar thread not too long ago, but I cant find it.


I use the tranny to slow myself down most of the time.

 

I do it frequently. Down shift that is. I try to avoid using the brakes when ever possible. Most of the time, letting off the accelerator works for me! They're for it with professional drivers in order to maintain control of your vehicle. As far as problems, I haven't heard of any.

 

I also do it from time to time, depending on the hill, my truck seems to hold back pretty well on its own. Remember tho brakes are cheaper then transmissions. I never rev over 3000rpm or so when I downshift.

 

I do the same thing, sometimes in traffic you just need to downshift to get out of a tight spot. The only time it might be damaging to the truck is if you try and downshift when the truck is rev'ing too high. Even with a manual, downshifting like that will destroy and clutch and transmission.

 

Yes, I treat it like a Manual Trans. It's warrantied for 7 more years! When the First Auto Trans go, I am swapping in a Manual 6spd.

I leave it in "4" all the time, never use "D" unless I am traveling on the Freeway, often use "3" as well.

 

The only time I downshift - is when I'm approaching a downhill grade. I don't downshift for normal braking.

 

I'm always in 4 when driving in the city and sometimes downshift when slowing down. I like the way the trans. will downshift itself on certain grades of hills when you press the brakes.

 

Yes, almost every time except when I'm driving it like a little school girl.

 

I don't down shift that much but when I am doing a lot of city driving I will usually run in "4" instead of "D" to keep it from shifting all the time.

 

Yeah, everything except the plaid skirt because I will never shave my legs.

 

I downshift when I see a cop and don't want to hit the brakes. It's probably not that effective, but it makes me feel better.

 

Just depends on grade and flow of traffic? I do downshift quite often when stopping while pulling the trailer.

 

I only do it when towing my boat.

 

Brakes are cheaper than a transmission/torque converter/rear diff/u-joints.

On a manual transmission, you can downshift while braking and have the ability to heel/toe (blip throttle between shifts). This allows the engine and trans. to stay at the same speed.

Less wear and tear is always a good thing.

=D

 

Hmm. No, but I find that mine often downshifts on its own, usually when going down and incline and a curve at the same time. Seems to be doing it more since the weather turned colder.

 

I do it all the time. Engine never gets above 2500RPMs. I use it in stop and go traffic when I don't want to tap the brakes all the time, cause people tapping brakes really pisses me off.