Downshifting bad?

ZKraken22 · 11-15-2012, 05:20 PM

"Use your brakes to slow down, downshift to the appropriate gear for the speed that you're going. That's what the brakes are meant for. Using your engine to slow you down is tough on the engine and transmission. Brake replacement is way cheaper than engine/transmission repair."

Really? So im on the GTR Forum and saw that comment on a thread talking about downshifting. When i come to a red light i downshift to slow down my car instead of using the brakes to save my breaks. Does that really hurt the engine/ trans? The GTR guys seem to think so. I have the 7 speed auto BTW.

MicTheProduce · 11-15-2012, 05:24 PM

If anything, you are using your transmission more than usual. This then leads to more wear than usual.

BGTV8 · 11-15-2012, 05:26 PM

Gears are for going, brakes are for stopping.

Backloading the transmission places the load the wrong way around in the g/box, hence it will wear more quickly

SouthArk370Z · 11-15-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKraken22

Does that really hurt the engine/ trans?

In older cars, it could be a problem, but in a modern drivetrain, all you're going to do is increase wear slightly. When decelerating, the ECM cuts fuel to the engine, so it turns onto a big air pump. If the tranny can't handle reasonable downshifts (ie, not downshifting to 1st at 30mph), we got screwed.

There will be some added wear and tear, but not what I would call hurting anything.

If you're downshifting hard, like at the track, all bets are off.

YMMV

Trips · 11-15-2012, 05:39 PM

pads are cheaper than a trans so you decide

edub370 · 11-15-2012, 05:45 PM

Not going to hurt anything. We even have such a thing to limit Trans wear. Srm... If anyone can find proof that down shifting has actually caused premature trans failure (not holding my breath) then i will retract my previous statement. If anyone thinks that gradually slowing down via down shifting puts more stress than going wot and banging thru gears then u may wanna re-evaluate your theories on stress loads.

I don't advise doing it all the time, but here and there won't hurt anything

ZKraken22 · 11-15-2012, 06:32 PM

that sucks. I love to downshift. I love the sound.

binary0x01 · 11-15-2012, 06:49 PM

The transmission was design to shift up and down. It makes no sense in saying "don't use the down shift feature" because you can then argue that you should not use your breaks or horn or anything else because it might wear prematurely... obviously it will wear but you got the car to drive it in a complete manor, not think about what will wear and will not. If something wears out, replace it and keep enjoying your car... wth did you buy it for if not that?

FirstZin83 · 11-15-2012, 07:29 PM

Agreed. I'm 47 years old and have been beating the snot out of Z's for 30 years. I have only changed a clutch once in an 83' 280ZX, which was not related to any shifting habits. I've been downshifting with careless abandon the whole time. On the 370Z I've had SyncroRev turned off since I bought the car in 2009. The RPM match is fun for awhile, but takes away the ability to slow down with downshifting. Of course I did have a transmission scare with the 370, but thanks to forum posts. I realized I needed to put some decent fluid in the lines and get rid of that nasty assist spring.

IDZRVIT · 11-18-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edub370

Not going to hurt anything. We even have such a thing to limit Trans wear. Srm... If anyone can find proof that down shifting has actually caused premature trans failure (not holding my breath) then i will retract my previous statement. If anyone thinks that gradually slowing down via down shifting puts more stress than going wot and banging thru gears then u may wanna re-evaluate your theories on stress loads.

I don't advise doing it all the time, but here and there won't hurt anything

I love downshifting my vette and locking up the rear wheels just before coming to a stop. Been doing it for over 20 years of ownership. Ain't broke yet!!! I pamper the Z more on downshifting because it's my wife's car and I need to stay on her good side.

m4a1mustang · 11-18-2012, 09:14 AM

Downshift to your heart's content. I heel-toe 90% of the time.

Mikes350z · 11-18-2012, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Downshift to your heart's content. I heel-toe 90% of the time.

agreed ^... I downshift all the time to slow down and normally heel-toe for quicker stopping power. Don't Automatic transmissions downshift also to help slow down the car?

Seems idiotic to me to think that a transmission that can handle the load of moving a 3,000+ pound car cant do the same for slowing it down? Either way just dont be stupid as stated earlier and down shift into 2nd from speeds of 60 plus or similar situations.

SS_Firehawk · 11-18-2012, 10:12 AM

I can't believe this is an argument. This world is lost.

grant · 11-18-2012, 10:59 AM

The OP comment sounds like it came from "ULTIMATE SPEED SECRETS" by Ross Bently. See attached paragraph

G37sHKS · 11-18-2012, 11:46 AM

Nope downshifting is not a bad idea.. you can downshift all day long without a problem..

/end thread

11-15-2012, 05:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZKraken22 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 1,115 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 15	Downshifting bad? "Use your brakes to slow down, downshift to the appropriate gear for the speed that you're going. That's what the brakes are meant for. Using your engine to slow you down is tough on the engine and transmission. Brake replacement is way cheaper than engine/transmission repair." Really? So im on the GTR Forum and saw that comment on a thread talking about downshifting. When i come to a red light i downshift to slow down my car instead of using the brakes to save my breaks. Does that really hurt the engine/ trans? The GTR guys seem to think so. I have the 7 speed auto BTW. __________________ Litespeed Racing Titanium Cold Air intake// GT Haus Axle// GarageLine combo// Nismo sway bars// Nismo Spoiler // Berk TP's

11-15-2012, 05:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	pads are cheaper than a trans so you decide __________________

11-15-2012, 05:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 19	Not going to hurt anything. We even have such a thing to limit Trans wear. Srm... If anyone can find proof that down shifting has actually caused premature trans failure (not holding my breath) then i will retract my previous statement. If anyone thinks that gradually slowing down via down shifting puts more stress than going wot and banging thru gears then u may wanna re-evaluate your theories on stress loads. I don't advise doing it all the time, but here and there won't hurt anything IDZRVIT and Z-Girl 12 like this. __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq

11-15-2012, 06:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZKraken22 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 1,115 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 15	that sucks. I love to downshift. I love the sound. __________________ Litespeed Racing Titanium Cold Air intake// GT Haus Axle// GarageLine combo// Nismo sway bars// Nismo Spoiler // Berk TP's

11-15-2012, 06:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
binary0x01 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 892 Drives: 2012 6-SPEED 3.7L Z Rep Power: 13	The transmission was design to shift up and down. It makes no sense in saying "don't use the down shift feature" because you can then argue that you should not use your breaks or horn or anything else because it might wear prematurely... obviously it will wear but you got the car to drive it in a complete manor, not think about what will wear and will not. If something wears out, replace it and keep enjoying your car... wth did you buy it for if not that? IDZRVIT, SouthArk370Z and Z-Girl 12 like this. __________________ Tune (by Seb@SpecialtyZ) -- Upgraded Parts List : When in doubt, use brute force; if it doesn't work, you aren't using enough.

11-15-2012, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
MicTheProduce Base Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Redwood City Posts: 7 Drives: 12 Nissan 370S PW M6 Rep Power: 13	If anything, you are using your transmission more than usual. This then leads to more wear than usual.

11-15-2012, 05:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
BGTV8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: 03350 Australia Posts: 1,503 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z M6 Rep Power: 29907	Gears are for going, brakes are for stopping. Backloading the transmission places the load the wrong way around in the g/box, hence it will wear more quickly

11-15-2012, 07:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
FirstZin83 Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Louisville Posts: 30 Drives: 09 6MT 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 16	Agreed. I'm 47 years old and have been beating the snot out of Z's for 30 years. I have only changed a clutch once in an 83' 280ZX, which was not related to any shifting habits. I've been downshifting with careless abandon the whole time. On the 370Z I've had SyncroRev turned off since I bought the car in 2009. The RPM match is fun for awhile, but takes away the ability to slow down with downshifting. Of course I did have a transmission scare with the 370, but thanks to forum posts. I realized I needed to put some decent fluid in the lines and get rid of that nasty assist spring. IDZRVIT and binary0x01 like this.

11-18-2012, 09:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Downshift to your heart's content. I heel-toe 90% of the time. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

11-18-2012, 10:12 AM	#13 (permalink)
SS_Firehawk Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,142 Drives: 13' Magma Red Nismo Rep Power: 7334	I can't believe this is an argument. This world is lost. __________________ Old Car:GTM TSC'd 550whp / 410lbft tq @ 11.88PSI New Car: Under Construction

11-18-2012, 11:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
G37sHKS A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,183 Drives: 09 G37S Coupe 7AT Rep Power: 20	Nope downshifting is not a bad idea.. you can downshift all day long without a problem.. /end thread __________________ G37 BUILD UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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