Downshifting

Stangsgrl · Dec 8, 2004

Can there be any harm in downshifting a lot. I do it pretty much everytime i break...of course i ease into the gear and all, just i don't like using my breaks all the time. i'd rather just take my time slowing down by downshifting....i like hearing the exhaust too...but just wondering.

jmk97GT · Dec 8, 2004

Shorter clutch life.

Besides the clutch, nothing else should be harmed by this.

Stangsgrl · Dec 8, 2004

i guess i'm okay then...i plan to do a stage 2 clutch some day, thanks

FalconGuy016 · Dec 8, 2004

Called engine braking not breaking, big difference

I love to do that, because of the sound. You can also use the gears as a precise measurement of slowing when "performance driving" depending on which gear and speed when cornering and stuff

Darkhorse845 · Dec 8, 2004

Ditto shorter clutch life!

Route666 · Dec 8, 2004

You also wear the backsides of the gears, which means your gearbox wears more quickly (the gears you use to brake) and the diff gets more wear. You end up having more backlash after a while, which can sound and feel really bad.

Stangsgrl · Dec 9, 2004

Route666 said:
You also wear the backsides of the gears, which means your gearbox wears more quickly (the gears you use to brake) and the diff gets more wear. You end up having more backlash after a while, which can sound and feel really bad.

i do have 3.73's...so they're not stock gears...will that still happen, or just take longer to wear down?

Route666 · Dec 9, 2004

Stangsgrl said:
i do have 3.73's...so they're not stock gears...will that still happen, or just take longer to wear down?

Well, with higher ratio gears the gearbox spins more per wheel revolution, so you'll probably have slightly more wear. You would probably have less wear on the ring gear and more on the pinion gear in your diff. Wear down is bit of a misnomer too, it won't stop wearing, it'll keep wearing, tolerances getting bigger. Hey it worries me too, but I still downshift. Nothing lasts forever, and you don't get a prize for having money left over at the end.

Skidawg · Dec 9, 2004

It leads to a shorter clutch life. Every time you shift, you're using one of a finite number of shifts in a clutch. Brakes are cheaper to replace than a clutch, so slowing the car by brakes is the cheapest way, but not necessarily the most fun.

mrpositraction · Dec 9, 2004

Along w/ the clutch, I was always told (not sure if it true) that any back pressure on any transmission (worse for automatic) is bad. Now this may be just looking at the gear issue as talked about above, and if this is a case like stated nothing last forever. I down shift once in awhile becaue I to like the sound of exhaust. But I defenitley use my brakes more than down shifting to stop/slow down. When down shifting, I try to meet the engine rpms w/ the transmission so there is minimal clutch wear. Another way to extend the life of you cluthc and components is not to ride the clutch at a stop light. My wife asked if this would hurt the synchronizers (sp?), but there is no sych's in first gear. By riding the clutch you will wear out your throw out bearing more quickly which leads to sqeaking. Now you can drive a long ways on a squeaky throw out bearing, but it is annoying. I am not sure why I have went on for so long about something that does not even pertain to the original question. I will stop now.

mrvax · Dec 9, 2004

jmk97GT said:
Shorter clutch life.

Besides the clutch, nothing else should be harmed by this.

True dat.

mikes2008gt · Dec 9, 2004

I've heard it's mainly bad if you downshift to 1st and you're still rolling at like 15 mph.

I do like hearing the exhaust sound though. But I don't downshift to first. I wouldn't recommend doing that.

Mustang T · Dec 9, 2004

My cousin owns a auto part store/garage. I asked him about it and he said "It's cheaper to replace brake pads than a clutch." But I had over 100 k on my last stang, and downshifted 98% of the time when braking to stop and never had clutch problems. Each to their own I say.

Bill9000 · Dec 9, 2004

Stangsgrl said:
Can there be any harm in downshifting a lot. I do it pretty much everytime i break...of course i ease into the gear and all, just i don't like using my breaks all the time. i'd rather just take my time slowing down by downshifting....i like hearing the exhaust too...but just wondering.

everyone mentions shorter clutch life, but noone mentions LONGER brake life!!!! saves on brakes a lot by doing that! depends on if you drive a lot of hills and so forth, but it's been proven brakes on a stick car last longer than on an automatic car!

tarch at school · Dec 9, 2004

Bill9000 said:
everyone mentions shorter clutch life, but noone mentions LONGER brake life!!!! saves on brakes a lot by doing that! depends on if you drive a lot of hills and so forth, but it's been proven brakes on a stick car last longer than on an automatic car!

that's really only like 50 bucks at most!

40th GT · Dec 9, 2004

What's the correct way to match the engine RPM with the transmission? Is it as simple as clutch in, downshift, blip the gas, clutch out? I feel like I'm missing something/doing something wrong.

kah9911 · Dec 9, 2004

Stangsgrl- you dont just want to slip out the clutch but blip the gas for a smooth down shift.

40th GT said:
What's the correct way to match the engine RPM with the transmission? Is it as simple as clutch in, downshift, blip the gas, clutch out? I feel like I'm missing something/doing something wrong.

That is what I do unless I going into a corner REAL hot and have to heal/toe it.

1990BLUEGT · Dec 9, 2004

40th GT said:
What's the correct way to match the engine RPM with the transmission? Is it as simple as clutch in, downshift, blip the gas, clutch out? I feel like I'm missing something/doing something wrong.

yeah, but you will have to practice. if done correctly you shouldn't feel a jolt. it should be as smooth as butter. it will take you a few days to get it just right because you will typically run through different scenarios.

don't be afraid to use your throtle.

Evenflow · Dec 9, 2004

I just started driving stick a few weeks ago on the 04 GT. Im still not perfect, whenever my friends are in and I shift I can see them getting moved abit. But I guess it takes practice.

When im slowing down I just pop it into neutral, let off clutch, and break until I need to put the clutch in again.

Unless im on the highway going on an offramp or something where I downshift through every gear.

Doing anything wrong?

01BlkGT · Dec 9, 2004

Lot cheaper to replace the brakes than it is the clutch. It's cool to do it ever once in a while, but unless you like to replace clutches sooner than normal (especially as teh power level goes up) I'd just keep the downshifting for occasions you are feeling frisky ,

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