Do you use engine braking?

[kpb]

Engine brake from 6th > 5th > 4th > perhaps 3rd...yes. But only when road and traffic conditions allow. I'd say it adds something in the region of 10%-15% onto my MPG.

But then again so can easing off, using overrun and just selecting the right gear at the right moment.

I dont engine brake in urban/high traffic situations because a) it confuses idiots who don't read the road and rely on the person in front to warn them via rear brake lights, and b) my car doesnt like the 3rd > 2nd downshift because of the gearing.

I'm reading a lot of people on here, who, like myself, have tried it with no problems or mechanical issues over 10,000's of miles, but plenty who havent tried it and are convinced we're wrong.

[GC8]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Riknos said:

I can understand women......

Errrrm ?????? !!!!!!!

He has one over me if he can!

[Dr Jekyll]

jamieduff1981 said:

Braking for every corner on a B-road? Lunacy.

Honestly, a lot of the posters on this thread sound like the stereotypical Peugeot 406HDI drivers that are spawned like baddies in a computer game round every B-road bend just to ensure that every fun sportscar drive is ruined!

Who exactly has suggested braking for every corner on a B road?

[vikingaero]

I use engine braking all the time on hire cars. And my company car.

[Road2Ruin]

AnotherClarkey said:

That doesn't really explain it does it? Of course anticipation and avoiding harsh deceleration saves fuel but how is changing down saving more that using the brakes to achieve the same rate of deceleration?

Ok let me put it this way...if....if you brake at the same rate that the engine brakes resulting in the sames deceleration then why bother using the brakes when you can use the engine to achieve the same result. The thing is, as I said, people don't! You brake harder and not only that most people also put their foot on the clutch releasing the engine.

[Dr Jekyll]

Road2Ruin said:

Ok let me put it this way...if....if you brake at the same rate that the engine brakes resulting in the sames deceleration then why bother using the brakes when you can use the engine to achieve the same result. The

Because
A) You don't have to change down.
B) You're choosing the rate of deceleration by brake pressure, not letting the engine choose.
C) Your brakes operate on all 4 wheels.
D) Your brakes generally have ABS.

[AnotherClarkey]

Dr Jekyll said:

Road2Ruin said:

Ok let me put it this way...if....if you brake at the same rate that the engine brakes resulting in the sames deceleration then why bother using the brakes when you can use the engine to achieve the same result. The

Because
A) You don't have to change down.
B) You're choosing the rate of deceleration by brake pressure, not letting the engine choose.
C) Your brakes operate on all 4 wheels.
D) Your brakes generally have ABS.

Not forgetting that your foot is already on the brake pedal, allowing quicker response if the hazard ahead develops and requires stronger deceleration.

[Road2Ruin]

Dr Jekyll said:

Because
A) You don't have to change down.
B) You're choosing the rate of deceleration by brake pressure, not letting the engine choose.
C) Your brakes operate on all 4 wheels.
D) Your brakes generally have ABS.

A, you do have to change down...try leaving the car in 4th and slowing to 20mph!
B, engine deceleration is a constant, if you can't understand how it works and use it should you have a licence?
C, they do and when I put my foot on the brake if I need to then they will operate in all 4 wheels.
D, same as above.

If you disagree with any of the above you are driving too close to the car in front. Not changed my brake pads at 86,000 miles and get 47mpg mixed driving out of my 1.9tdi saab. On my way in to work every morning over 7 miles I rarely touch my brakes and I am far safer than those around me I see using them ever 20 seconds.

[Dr Jekyll]

Road2Ruin said:

A, you do have to change down...try leaving the car in 4th and slowing to 20mph!
B, engine deceleration is a constant, if you can't understand how it works and use it should you have a licence?
C, they do and when I put my foot on the brake if I need to then they will operate in all 4 wheels.
D, same as above.

If you disagree with any of the above you are driving too close to the car in front. Not changed my brake pads at 86,000 miles and get 47mpg mixed driving out of my 1.9tdi saab. On my way in to work every morning over 7 miles I rarely touch my brakes and I am far safer than those around me I see using them ever 20 seconds.

A. Not a problem if decelerating, I can decelerate in 5th and press the clutch about a cars length before the stop line without any issues.
B. Of course it's constant, that's the problem.
C. But you don't put your foot on the brake when you need to, you change down because you prefer engine braking, that's the whole point. I put my foot on the brake when I need to precisely because the brakes operate on 4 wheels and have ABS.
D. See answer above.

No idea what any of this has to do with driving too close to the car in front, my brakes still slow the car down however much stopping distance I leave.

I'm sure I to am safer than use who use the brakes every 20 seconds, I don't hit the brake for the sake of it (do you change into a lower gear for engine braking every 20 seconds?), I brake when simply easing off the throttle doesn't provide sufficient deceleration.

[Sir Fergie]

I must be doing it all wrong - I brake - and as my speed reduces - I change down through the gears - ie in the snotter when I come down below 30 mph - I change down into 3rd - and at 15 to 20 mph - im changing down into 2nd gear

I even change down into 1st when im down 5 to 10 mph.

This when im slowing down normally - ie not an emergency stop - and when conditions are suitable.

Im very very naughty.

But a question - when you guys say you rev match - how do you do it???