Using the Shifter to "brake"

[impalator]

I know there are various topics in which this subject is mentioned - but nevertheless, I do have a couple of questions in this regard.

I shift down regularly (to slow down, aid in braking ahead of traffic lights etc) in the following manner:

If I come at a speed of 50km/h or higher I turn off the O/D... once I slowed down to about 40 or so, I then slide the shifter back into 2 (from "D") and occasionally, at about 20km/h or so I even hit "1"...

It appears that opinions on such shifting behavior differ considerably: Some people tend to never touch their shifter once they drive and it's in "D", and on the other extreme, some people use their shifter even when shifting up... a substitute for a manual....

Is there any risk (even slight risk) that I mess up my transmission if I keep regularly shifting down like described above? Or would it be ok to shift down like that but I shouldn't engage "1"?

Another thing that I sometimes do - and which I am never sure if it is actually a benefit for the engine/transmission or the opposite is the following:

When waiting at a red traffic light, I frequently shift the transmission into Neutral... and when the light goes green I shift back into drive, wait for the transmission to engage and then hit the pedal. Is there anything wrong with this and will this also lead to premature wear on the tranny?

Thanks for any feedback...

Cheers,
Chris

[marsgal42]

I drive Gumdrop like any other automatic: leave it in D most of the time. Shift to N or P if the delay is excessive (e.g. border lineups). It's a good transmission, and rarely needs any input from me.

Coming down long hills, either let the speed max out aerodynamically (Coquihalla, The Cut), or disable overdrive (Gaglardi Way). My Mom calls this using the jake brake. I also taught her how to shift the transfer case last time I was up there...

The only time I've ever needed to gear down further (down to 2) is coming down the switchbacks on the Duffy Lake Road.

...laura

[FalcoColumbarius]

I don't think so. I gear down all the time, it's how one drives a vehicle. I rarely gear down as far as first gear, except in cases of steep hills or snow, &c. as I feel the brakes can handle it from second gear. One thing I make a point of doing is punching the accelerator in that little gap between the gears engaging to harmonize the engine rpm with the transmission so as not to put undue stress on the engine from the transmission. At a stopped situation I will put it in neutral and engage the E-brake if I am stopped for any length of time, but I figure that this is an hangover from driving manuals and not wanting to "ride the clutch". I reckon it can't hurt. At a stop light I will usually leave it in D, as the lights are not that long and I believe the auto clutch is designed to take it. However, they must have put all those gears in there for a reason...... good question.

Falco.

[JMK]

I live in the mountains as well, and there are a number of long hill climbs on Hwy 93N. If left alone, it would shift in and out of O/D on some of the longer hills over and over. So when it shifts into O/D for the first time, I hit the switch and leave it there until the hill is done. I also use it for cruising down the hills. When I shift back up, I take my foot off the gas, hit the O/D switch, and then resume the gas again, an old habit left over from my days of driving dual axel trucks, but probably makes it easier on the tranny and transfer case withal. To my way of thinking this practice should decrease strain on the power train and prolong its life.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Sometimes.... when I am at a traffic light and parked next to a big rig.... when the light turns green I will put her into first gear, accelerate; let my foot off of the accelerator, shift into second gear, accelerate; let my foot off of the accelerator, shift into drive, accelerate ~ &c.. When this is happening I'm looking in my wing mirror to see if the guy driving the big rig is catching my "big rig driving in a Delica" stunt. Surprisingly often I see a smile on the face of the driver, but only when their window is down, I think. Good for a lark and it doesn't cost any more to see if I can get the guy to smile.

Falco.

[after oil]

i understand that using the shifter to brake is actually using the engine to brake. as the compression rises the engine slows. i shift down fro slowing and stopping all the time. it was particularly useful when i was traveling to mexico. for exapmple on the pacific coast hwy i would shift down for hairpin turns and quick drops in elevation...

[delicat]

If they didn't want you to use your other gears there would only be P, R, N, D...

I use it all the time.

Slowing down: remove Overdrive from 80-90kmh and gear down to 2nd at 60kmh. (1st very rare, much like Falco). It's a heavy vehicle, it helps!

In the city I remove the overdrive as well. It actually lowers my egt noticeably. (especially good if using wvo)

Accelerating or going up hills, moving it from 2nd to no Overdrive to keep the revs up (uphills).

Maybe we're all 5spd wannabe... but it really helps driving the van that way.

[Profister]

x2. The same as Delicat. I have this habit for years.

[deLOOKA]

One thing I make a point of doing is punching the accelerator in that little gap between the gears engaging to harmonize the engine rpm with the transmission so as not to put undue stress on the engine from the transmission.
Falco.

Ok, I know i'm a newbie at mechanics but I thought this can only be done with manual transmissions when gearing down.
Didn't know it can be done to auto.

-Isaac

[FalcoColumbarius]

There is about a second(ish) long gap in time between the gear engagements and that is when I punch the accelerator. It brings the revs up to the new gear and everything is harmonious. Try it out and you will get the "feel".

Falco.

[deLOOKA]

Ok, how about this.
Neautral, punch the pedal (bring up revs), drop to second.
Oops! dropped to first by mistake. Like i said, newbie i am.

-Isaac

[FalcoColumbarius]

You don't have to go to neutral, it's automatic and does all that for you, even if you are double clutching the foot rest. Next time you shift down listen for the gap, it happens when you physically shift ~ there is a delay before the engine revs up and that is when you punch the accelerator (& not too much, just enough). If you are ever out my way (North Van) give me a call and I can walk you through it, if you like... smiles.

Falco.

[deLOOKA]

[jaggedfish]

I use all my auto tranny gears all the time. Don't usually use 1st but definitely the o/d button and second gear. If you leave the overdrive on and shift to 2nd there is a definite delay while the tranny shifts twice so don't rely on it to slow you down in a panic. I also shift into neutral in heavy traffic... easier on the brakes at low revs... quite responsive going back into gear - not a lot of delay. Like Delicat says... that's why these gears exist.

Another side to this too is you don't need to push in the shift button between drive and neutral - some aren't aware of this - it's nice when you need to "rock" the vehicle if you get stuck in the muck.... ot that you would in a Deli...