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Is downshifting & engine braking with automatic bad for the drivetrain?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Elkhart, Jun 21, 2024.

  1. Jun 21, 2024 at 8:51 AM
    #1
    Elkhart

    Elkhart [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I tend to engine brake a bit when descending long hills rather than rely solely on braking in my v6 2013 automatic and I'm wondering if downshifting (while trying not to slam the revs too hard) or frequent shifting is bad for the engine/transmission or other driveline components.

    Have heard over the years that downshifting is useful when hauling, but want to double check and make sure I'm not prematurely wearing things out.

    Should I limit downshifting to winter weather and poor grip situations?

    what do you think?
     
  2. Jun 21, 2024 at 8:56 AM
    #2
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    Using a lower gear to slow you down on down grades and mountainous roads is normal procedure. Been doing that for 40+ years.
     
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  3. Jun 21, 2024 at 8:59 AM
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    SH10151

    SH10151 Farang

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    I used to live in the mountains and if you don’t downshift you will cook the brakes.
     
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  4. Jun 21, 2024 at 9:28 AM
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    knottyrope

    knottyrope Well-Known Member

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    thats in the drivers ED book
    Stop thinking. All vehicles are designed for it. My taco hit red line in 2nd many times in the mountains and have 300k on it with just dino oil.

    its been part of the Driver ED book for over 50 years to always put into lower gear when going down a steep grade

    Shifting a lot aka gear hunting is bad over time. Drop to lower gear when that happens.


    interesting tidbit
    Most worm drive rear ends dont need to worry about down shifting and those are mostly on old old vehicles
     
  5. Jun 21, 2024 at 9:31 AM
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    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    The ECM logic automatically downshifts for engine braking when you press the foot brakes in many conditions. Downshifting manually doesn't induce any additional stresses on the transmission. Feel free to let the engine rev. It's a Toyota truck engine, can hammer at redline all day.
     
  6. Jun 21, 2024 at 9:43 AM
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    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    The auto trans is smart enough that if you try to do something that is bad for it, it will not let you. Ever get the quiet double beep that says something is locked out? That beep is two syllables and it stands for "dumbass." As in, try to downshift to 1st gear when going 45 mph, beepbeep. The truck is saying, "Dumbass. Don't do that."

    If it lets you downshift, then chances are its not causing any harm.
     
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  7. Jun 21, 2024 at 9:46 AM
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    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Reasonably certain you'll find the owners manual recommends it.
     
  8. Jun 21, 2024 at 10:24 AM
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    Elkhart

    Elkhart [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. Grew up on flat land and have been living in the hills for the past many years. First truck, first toyota, and there's an ajustment for a flatlander.
    Will keep on dropping those gears.

    High milage truck, just wanted to make sure I'm not going to give myself a headache anytime soon.

    Good to hear that a bit of redline isn't going to kill anything. I tend to drive easy and keep revs low, but will let it run out a bit on longer hills from now on.

    Have always dug that balance point where gear shift holds the speed down on a long coast while seeing the person in front of me ride their brakes.
     
  9. Jun 21, 2024 at 10:31 AM
    #9
    batacoma

    batacoma Truck Wars

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    I like to shift into R- Really Slow Gear when descending a steep grade.
     
  10. Jun 21, 2024 at 10:40 AM
    #10
    Elkhart

    Elkhart [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the crunching lets you know it's working!
     
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  11. Jun 21, 2024 at 5:20 PM
    #11
    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    As long as you use common sense it doesn't hurt a thing. You don't want to see rpm's much over 3000 rpms for extended periods. Don't wait until you're doing 50 mph then try to go from D to 2nd gear. Use the brakes to slow you down to a reasonable speed before downshifting or downshift when you start down.

    Gearing down doesn't mean you don't use the brakes, you just use them a lot less. A few weeks ago we were camping in Smoky Mountains NP. It's 35 miles from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. It's 15 miles from the top at Newfound gap down on one side, 20 miles the other way. I descended both ways in 2nd and 3rd gear. The speed limit is 40. The truck rarely got over 2000 rpms, and I only tapped the brakes a few times when I got over 40 or was approaching a curve where 40 was too fast.

    When towing this is even more important.
     
  12. Jun 21, 2024 at 5:40 PM
    #12
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    Wrong. R stands for "Race":

     

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