Lower gear to slow down the car instead of using brake?

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04-23-20, 08:41 AM

#16

SW17LS

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zes

Dont do it unless it is a hybrid. Brakes are cheap. Transmissions are expensive.

The idea is to save on brake effectiveness. If you're in the mountains and using the brakes a ton, you may experience fade.

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04-27-20, 05:12 AM

#17

ESully

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I will add that my 2016 ES 350 transmission seems to be programmed to do a little engine braking. On some steep downhills, it will hold in gear up to about 2500 rpm, reducing the amount of braking I need to do.

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04-30-20, 09:27 AM

#18

jayholden

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The increased gas cost (higher RPM = more gas consumed) would outweigh the small savings on brake pads. Not to mention you'd be unnecessarily increasing the strain on the transmission and engine. The only reason you'd want to do this is to avoid overheating the brake pads and rotors when you're going downhill but need to maintain a low speed.