Downshifting

[Stangsgrl]

yea i'm real easy on it when i do downshift. i really take my time...i probably annoy people behind me cuz i'm slowing down but my breaks aren't on..hehe. but...i usually just slowly guide the gear in as i slow...never do i put it in 1st though unless i'm completely stopped.
someone mentioned riding the clutch...yea i make a note to not be on the clutch unless i have to. usually i'll sit at a light (on a flat road) with my foot off the break too
i dunno...i've been driving a 5-speed for at least 5 years now....just wondering what would go first really. clutch will be replaced anyway soon, cuz the stock one sucks! i have to ease into 2nd & 3rd up and downshifting usually....however it does go in pretty good if i'm at high rpms upshifting, like hittin it to "merge" onto the highway...

 

[CManT1914]

I like to downshift a lot. It sounds cool to go from 3rd to 2nd and then decelerate. I like the burble that comes with it. I've gotten really good at rev-matching when I'm down-shifting. As soon as I push in the clutch I hit the throttle and bring it up to whatever rpm it needs to be at when I let the clutch out. I've gotten almost perfect at it. It's cool to hear the exhaust "bark" when you're doing it. But yea I guess it does wear out my clutch more. But I don't care, if it goes, I'll put in a Centerforce.

 

[01BlkGT]

instead of easing into it, rev-match the car as you downshift. It'll make it easier on the clutch and drivetrain if you do...

 

[SunburstGoldGT]

I have 57,--- on my 00 GT and have never changed the brakes, and the clutch is just now slipping. I downshift like this every time i drive the car, its the way my dad taught me. And if i get 50,000+ miles and over 4 years on a set of brakes and clutch by doing this, i think im doing pretty good. If you think about it even when you use your brakes your clutch is still spinnin along with your gears, its like you are downshifting but with breaks so you are wearing 2 parts at once. Unless you have it out of gear, and i have been told that "free wheeling" is bad for a car also. Not sure by whom or why but i was told that. I never have my car in neutral unless its parked on a flat spot.

 

[Sick96Stang]

When your slowing down why dont you just drop it into neutral and cost up to your stop and use the brakes when needed. Save some gas by dropping it into neutral and coasting up to your desired stop spot, also if you just lightly brake on your way up its not as hard on your car. Either way u stop by downshifting or by braking your gonna wear out one of the parts on your car. Like numerous people have said brakes are cheaper to replace and by coasting in neutral you save gas also.