Downshifting to slow down?

I often throw on the over drive to shift down and slow the truck down instead of using the brakes up (especially with cops)

is this bad on the transmission or anything? id rather replace brakes than a transmission.

its an automatic btw

Thanks guys

 

nope

 

sweet deal. thanks

anyone wanna call him a liar?

 

Nope....just make sure you're not downshifting too far.

Like, if you're driving along at 50mph in DRIVE and downshift into 2nd - that might cause the rpm's to be way too high. Not a good idea to drop down that far.

 

Liar!

 

"Throw on the overdrive" is not going to give any kind of engine braking!?! However, downshifting from overdrive, into fourth will.

 

I think that he meant hit the overdrive button, which takes the transmission out of overdrive.

 

Its ok, called engine breaking or Compression breaking.

 

Ok, so essentially you'd be downshifting from overdrive. Got it. Never seen the button.

 

yeah sorry got that mixed up.

idk where the button is on second gens but its on the shifter for automatic first gens, on the left side where you would put your thumb

 

I came into work this morning meaning to ask this question, but I never got around to it. Thanks for asking it :]

I found myself engine braking in my '98 4Runner very often to give my brakes as much assistance as possible. Now that I'm actually moving the shifter as opposed to pressing an overdrive button, I feel like I could be causing some unknown problems

 

would downshift also be preferred on a slippery surface where if you braked, there would be high chance of slippage? Or use downshifting IN ADDITION to full ABS braking for those times when you need to stop faster than the normal brake distance allows?

 

If I recall correctly, my owner's manual actually refers to using the lower gears for braking - as in something to use them for.

FWIW I've been doing just what you're describing in my truck for the past 140k miles. I use both the overdrive button and low-2 for engine braking and I haven't had a lick of trouble.

 

Downshifting is also great while towing. I come down from a lake that sits at the 7,500 foot level every weekend throughout the summer, and if I couldn't downshift I'd be worried about overheating the brakes. Going up the hill I throw her into 4th from overdrive once in a while when the automatic is hunting for a gear.

 

ive noticed that if i toss it in neutral the truck will slow easier as well

 

if he droped into 2nd and 50mph it would be ok.

 

example: if you where going down a steep hill would you rather ride the brakes to the bottom or use a lower gear?

 

X2 on the example above, and also, why does it make sense with a manual, but not with an auto? You're essentially doing the same thing, so one makes as much sense as the other, right?

You're not going to wear out a transmission if you responsibly use it for 'braking' and maintain it properly. On the other hand, you will wear out brakes by using them as they are a wear item. So, if you can find reasonable ways of avoiding use of the brakes they'll last longer, and thus save money.

 

this guy knows what hes talking about!

 

Putting it in Neutral will not make it slow down faster. In fact, you are lossing any sort of engine braking. Put it into N if you want to coast longer.