A simple question for all you engine experts out there... I find myself doing a lot of decelerating by downshifting, and I do use rev matching to minimize transmission abuse. I don't drop into VTEC while doing this, as this is primarily for stopping purposes. Does this do any (long term) damage to engine internals, and how many other people do this on a daily basis!?
TIA.

 

I only engine brake when I'm autoX-ing or need to stop urgently on the streets. Most of the times, the gear stays in the highest possible selection (4th, 5th) on the streets.

To me, brakes are WAY cheaper and easier to fix than an engine over-haul.

 

no harm that i know of... the tranny/clutch will have to be treated well... but the engine should have no ill effects.

the injectors are off (above a certain rpm) when the throttle body is closed..

 

To me engine break=unecessary stress on the transmission and engine.

The ITR was equiped with a very capable braking system and that is what you should be using to decelarate the car. Rev matching and downshifting should be used only so you are in the proper gear to reaccelerate.

Big truck and occasionally car will use engine break when going donw a very long hill so they don't experience break fading in the middle of the hill but that is the only occasion where I can see it is usefull (unless the braking system gives out all together of course).

 

I egine brake all the time... pads and rotors get expesive, especially when you run race pads all the time

Craig - Who engine brakes also so he does not have to hear the squeal of the ccx's

 

But some of us are trying to break stuff so we can make it better, strong, faster... we have the technology

 

you guys all need some vagasil.

accelerated engine wear, most definatly. who the hell cares tho.

D

 

What is this? The bionic ITR?

 

I care !!!

Aren't you the guy that put a roll cage through the rear seats. Most people would care about that too

 

gotta pay to play.

 

If I still had my Type R, I'd put a Jake Brake on it just to **** everyone off.

revrevdownshiftBAALLLLUUGGGHAHHGGGGGGG

 

[d voice] **** it, and get off the aer0 bed!!! [/d voice]

nick, who loves D's monkey barz

 

I like this thread, as it ends a long standing argument between me and some of the people in my area.

I'd just like to take the opportunity to ask the engine experts.. is being in 5th gear at 40km/hr (bout 30mph) bad for the car? I heard it's okay to be in the highest gear possible, providing that the engine is running smooth. Say i'm just cruising along traffic, the engine dosn't choke or make any bizzare noises.. and it's just nice and quiet coasting forward slowing in 5th. Is this okay? My passengers keep bugging me about it being bad for the car. rah rah..

 

engine was not intended for braking...

dont confuse rev matching with engine braking...

driving downhill is the only time i can think of when you should use a lower gear to slow down the car with the engine

just like dumping the clutch shocks the engine....same works in reverse...


oh yeah...and being in 5th gear is very hard on the engine when not at the proper speed...you do understand what over drive means?

kinda like riding you ten speed in high gear..lots of uneeded stress on your poor engine


[Modified by EPGONZALEZ, 2:09 AM 10/5/2002]

 

Oh okay..

What about using 1st gear after using reverse? Like i've developed a habbit where while the car is still moving back alittle, instead of stopping the car first before moving the car forward again, i just start letting the clutch out in first gear while the car is still coasting backwards, is that okay or bad too?

 

What is the lowest mph & RPM you cruise in 5th gear at? Are you refering to lugging the motor? or are you actually saying it wears the motor to cruise at like 2-2.5k rpm in 5th?

Jon

 

OK, engine braking may be harmful to the motor. So why does the owner's manual encourage selecting a lower gear to reduce speed in conjuction w/ using the brakes?

 

a track instructor said to me once.... brakes are made for braking, what is cheaper to replace, your tranny or your pads and rotors??? -rob

 

Engine breaking is not going to hurt anything alsone as ya don't drop it in to gear (shock).

As for 5th gear, if ya don't bog the motor by opening the throttle 100% at 3k rpm you should be fine.

If you know how to drive and you have a feel for the car you should be able to hear when your doing something wrong- hurting the car.