DBinAL

I have a general driving question. I currently have a 2010 ES350 and used to have a 2001 ES300. I live in an area with plenty of small to steep hills and valleys. In order to save wear and tear on my brakes, I often shift from D to 4th, 3rd, and sometimes 2nd gear while traversing the hills. I was able to get 180,000 miles on my 2001 ES300 using this driving technique never having any transmission problems, and didn’t even change the transmission fluid.

Am I hurting the transmission by driving in this manner or should I continue this method?

12jimmyjam

I would say you were pretty lucky on your last one then. I owned a 00 ES and kept up on the forums. A lot of people over 100k miles lost their transmission just in normal wear and tear. Transmissions are a lot more expensive than brake pads. Plus you can factor in the mpg lost by engine breaking.

ESh

2007+ has ECT which downshifts when you drive downhill or when you break so you don't have to use +/- to downshift it manyally.

ElCunado

Brakes are cheaper than transmissions. I see no reason to do it.

lexusfan05

Depends on how steep the hills are. I lived in Colorado and often had to use engine braking otherwise the brakes would get so hot that brake fluid will boil and there will be no brakes.

I have to ask the though, why would engine braking put stress on transmission? It puts engine into high rpm, sure.

SW17LS

Not going to hurt the transmission. Downshifting to use engine braking to save on brakes is a typical practice when one is driving in hilly areas, and likely those who don't understand why you would do it don't live in or travel in such an area. Its not about reducing wear on the brakes, its about saving the brakes for when you need them, because if you rode them all the way down the hill they'd be faded and overheated and not work effectively.

DBinAL

Thanks for all of the responses. Everywhere I go on my short drives in my area require driving up and down many small, steep hills. I used this driving method with my 2001 ES 300, because I was tired of holding my foot on the brake pedal so much. It seemed to work quite well. I just didn't know how my transmission was being affected.

ayonnebay

I'm driving a 2011 ES350 now, but similar to you, moved up from a '98 ES300 last September. I had the ES300 since new in 1997, and had 207,000 miles on it when I traded it in..

I never hesitated to use engine braking on hills and mountains, whether here, VT, or WV for 17 years in that car. I never had any trans issues at all - not one. For me, I felt safer, especially in snow. So, my experience has been good and trouble-free.

I have to add that I really miss the '98. I loved it. (Wife wanted me to get rid of it for the 2011.)

Walt