Engine braking or using Neutral and Brakes?

6spd · 03-07-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaggeron

True, but not very relevant. Anything mechanical is going to wear faster the more you use it, but the difference between changing the clutch at 40k miles and 130k miles is not going to be the difference between down shifting while slowing to a stop and coasting to a stop in neutral.

thats only relevant to how competent one is at shifting.

Zaggeron · 03-07-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd

thats only relevant to how competent one is at shifting.

My point exactly

DooDooBrown · 03-08-2010, 11:09 PM

Downshifting like that is really only needed on heavier vehicles (like fire trucks). The reason is to prevent excessive brake wear (would only be good for approx. 10,000 miles or less), and prevent brake fade... For the Z, unless you are tearing up some back road, and need the acceleration, you should just put it into neutral and just coast to a stop... Hope this helps!

Zaggeron · 03-08-2010, 11:55 PM

To each his own I guess. My point was that you're not really going to wear your clutch or syncros out prematurely with an extra down shift before you stop and keeping the vehicle under power is handy when dealing with shuffling cars on off-ramp stop lights or the lucky just turned green when you've almost stopped city driving.

Zaggeron · 03-09-2010, 12:13 AM

Addendum: Strictly speaking if you remain in gear without disengaging the clutch and simply apply the brakes you are engine braking. I think this general notion is being somewhat confused with downshifting before applying the brakes. You'll notice that downshifting with syncro-rev on (or blipping the throttle) doesn't provide any engine braking so they really are independent issues.

6SPD_FTW · 03-11-2010, 08:16 AM

Firstly, SRM does NOT save the synchronizers. Once you depress the clutch, the engine and transmission are NOT connected. If you shift to neutral, engage the clutch, THEN rev the engine and disengage the clutch and go into gear....sure that'll save some wear on the synchronizers (at the expense of engine wear).

SRM doesn't provide any engine braking within the first second or two after engaging the clutch, but if you downshift, let the clutch out and wait a second, then my Z does engine brake.

I just don't freakin worry about it. Half the time I put it in neutral, half the time I downshift, half the time I don't downshift while braking. Just depends on how I feel. It's not gonna matter at all in the long run.

Late,
Trav

Modshack · 03-11-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zaggeron

You'll notice that downshifting with syncro-rev on (or blipping the throttle) doesn't provide any engine braking so they really are independent issues.

???...Of course it does. When you downshift, Syncro-rev only manages the initial engagement and rev matching. Once that is accomplished you have normal engine braking, just like any other Manual transmission car..

Zaggeron · 03-11-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modshack

???...Of course it does. When you downshift, Syncro-rev only manages the initial engagement and rev matching. Once that is accomplished you have normal engine braking, just like any other Manual transmission car..

Yes it does provide it after the initial rev match. I overstated my point.

I was trying to provide a contrast between downshifting before you even start braking thereby relying on mostly engine braking for that first initial speed reduction on one hand and using the brakes to slow your speed and then downshifting on the other. I think people were lumping those two scenarios into one and contrasting it with shifting into neutral and using only brakes to slow down.

03-08-2010, 11:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
DooDooBrown Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ranson, WV Posts: 178 Drives: 09 370 Touring w/spt Rep Power: 16	Downshifting like that is really only needed on heavier vehicles (like fire trucks). The reason is to prevent excessive brake wear (would only be good for approx. 10,000 miles or less), and prevent brake fade... For the Z, unless you are tearing up some back road, and need the acceleration, you should just put it into neutral and just coast to a stop... Hope this helps! Last edited by DooDooBrown; 03-08-2010 at 11:13 PM.

03-08-2010, 11:55 PM	#19 (permalink)
Zaggeron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,951 Drives: '10 370ZR '13 BRZ Rep Power: 18	To each his own I guess. My point was that you're not really going to wear your clutch or syncros out prematurely with an extra down shift before you stop and keeping the vehicle under power is handy when dealing with shuffling cars on off-ramp stop lights or the lucky just turned green when you've almost stopped city driving. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

03-09-2010, 12:13 AM	#20 (permalink)
Zaggeron A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,951 Drives: '10 370ZR '13 BRZ Rep Power: 18	Addendum: Strictly speaking if you remain in gear without disengaging the clutch and simply apply the brakes you are engine braking. I think this general notion is being somewhat confused with downshifting before applying the brakes. You'll notice that downshifting with syncro-rev on (or blipping the throttle) doesn't provide any engine braking so they really are independent issues. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite 370z Roadster:Touring/Sport 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited

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03-11-2010, 08:16 AM	#21 (permalink)
6SPD_FTW Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bristol, VA Posts: 59 Drives: 09 370Z Bl 6MT Rep Power: 16	Firstly, SRM does NOT save the synchronizers. Once you depress the clutch, the engine and transmission are NOT connected. If you shift to neutral, engage the clutch, THEN rev the engine and disengage the clutch and go into gear....sure that'll save some wear on the synchronizers (at the expense of engine wear). SRM doesn't provide any engine braking within the first second or two after engaging the clutch, but if you downshift, let the clutch out and wait a second, then my Z does engine brake. I just don't freakin worry about it. Half the time I put it in neutral, half the time I downshift, half the time I don't downshift while braking. Just depends on how I feel. It's not gonna matter at all in the long run. Late, Trav