Slowing down using tranny??

I slow down my 16' Tacoma usually by manually gearing down the tranny, saves a lot on brakes. By now you guys can tell I'm a rig driver. We use jakes all day long.
Is there any negatives using gearing down tranny? Makes the rpm go up to 3500 every time I gear down.

 

I've heard it said that brakes are easier and cheaper to replace than transmissions or clutches.

That said, if it's a manual, I do it all the time--always have. (My current car is a Miata, previous cars were WRX's, all with MT.) I have never had a problem with the transmission and have never had to replace a clutch with a probably a million MT miles.

I'm sure someone with mechanic experience will contradict this, but that's my story.

 

I do it, especially when towing in the winter on icy/snowy roads and hills.

 

Suppose you could say it's a little extra work on the synchros, but we all do it.
It keeps you in the appropriate gear if you'd need to accelerate for whatever reason- accident avoidance, etc.

 

Been doing it for years on track days and on the street.

 

Been driving toyota for 25 years only mt. It does not hurt them sure i go through a clutch in 100k but brakes about 150k. Only use brakes for an emwrgency. My 93 has 402k 3rd clutch n just did its 3rd brake job. Changing clutches ate easy. Dont let others fool you.

 

If MT, Keep up the good work. If AT, I'd let the pads and shoes do their sacrificial thing.
JMO, YMMV.

 

Transmissions are not for slowing down on track.

 

they are if youre slow

 

I've done it on every AT I've ever owned, especially coming down big hills. It doesn't hurt anything.

 

Safer on grades to let the tranny share the load but you already knew that. Only time I don't is when coasting up to a red.

 

They are as you are pulling off the track onto pit lane and into the paddock.

I wouldn't quit my day job if I were you.

 

The brakes on this truck are pretty meh, or they are on the 2nd gens. Engine brake to your hearts delight. There's little if any fuel being delivered by the injectors if no throttle is applied anyway.