Do you use engine braking?

[GetCarter]

AnotherClarkey said:

But why is engine braking so great?

Have you ever driven on a track?

[AnotherClarkey]

GetCarter said:

Have you ever driven on a track?

Yes, but it doesn't seem that the OP was directed towards track driving.

[jamieduff1981]

framerateuk said:

Try driving a Caterham without engine braking

I think I did the whole length of the M6 without touching the brake once. With a 6 speed box, the revs are so high that lifting the throttle brakes the car so much that you just don't have time to touch the brakes.

I tend to heel and toe my way down the box on junctions regardless of the car though.

My car engine brakes with a vengeance too when off the throttle. You have to be leaving the slowing down really rather late (compared to driving a normal car) out on the roads to need the brake pedal.

I've noticed a lot of people saying their TVRs really don't like it. Mine doesn't seem to be fussed by it when road driving even in the cold and wet. Obviously you don't do it when going round bends etc. I guess the Rver V8s engine brake even harder or the shorter wheelbase makes them a bit twitchier.

In the automatic Jag it's either J-gate time to do it or brake pedal. It won't stop any time in the same month (exaggeration) just waiting for it to downshift on it's own.

[GetCarter]

AnotherClarkey said:

GetCarter said:

Have you ever driven on a track?

Yes, but it doesn't seem that the OP was directed towards track driving.

But my reply was as to how useful it was in any circumstance... track being one of the most useful

[Craikeybaby]

It seems there are different interpretations of engine braking:

Lifting off early and slowing down in gear before selecting the appropriate gear to go again.

And:

Doenshifting down through the gears to the appropriate gear.

I do the top one loads , but never really do the second one.

[davepoth]

jamieduff1981 said:

You're not wrong about what RWD cars do in that situation, but I've managed to lose front end grip in a FWD car doing the same thing and it just followed the camber of the road into the kerb.

Using gears to slow down is just a shyte idea on ice regardless of the driven wheels.

I did it in an RWD car on the Nordschleife. That was fun.

[Stuartggray]

I like to down shift in a car that sounds nice, or on a bike where the box is sequential and sounds nice anyway. In my Volvo I don't really bother unless I'm really bored.

[Allanv]

Always change down to slow never killed a gearbox or clutch, change the pads and or discs once in a 5 year ownership.

That includes all my cars I have owned over the years, this gears to go brakes to slow is the sign of sloppy instruction nothing more.

[powerstroke]

Baker1 said:

Brakes are cheaper to replace than a gearbox

Tyres are cheaper than an engine, fish don't ride bikes !!!

[powerstroke]

Allanv said:

Always change down to slow never killed a gearbox or clutch, change the pads and or discs once in a 5 year ownership.

That includes all my cars I have owned over the years, this gears to go brakes to slow is the sign of sloppy instruction nothing more.

+ 100%

[crostonian]

I think there may be an age gap here. Younger drivers have been taught to slow down on the brakes yet anyone who passed their test 20 years ago will not be fazed by using the engine to slow them down.

Good job we don't have many mountain roads over here, all you 'brakes only' guys would soon find out the benefits of engine braking as opposed to brakes on fire!

[skyrover]

Nobody here heard of a jake brake?

[Matthen]

crostonian said:

I think there may be an age gap here. Younger drivers have been taught to slow down on the brakes yet anyone who passed their test 20 years ago will not be fazed by using the engine to slow them down.

Good job we don't have many mountain roads over here, all you 'brakes only' guys would soon find out the benefits of engine braking as opposed to brakes on fire!

Not 100% true - I passed my test in the last 3 years, I use engine braking where it suits the situation (such as a long descent), doesn't bother me at all. Plus it means im always in the right gear - win win. I always Rev-match when down shifting in that situation though.

[powerstroke]

skyrover said:

Nobody here heard of a jake brake?

Yes wonderfull invention better than exhaust brakes

[boxedin]

hmm. Like a lot of internet advice, its normally cobblers. A few hundred 000 miles of using engine braking, double-clutching over pads would according to the 'knowledge' kill my engines. I drive the same and have never killed, maimed or slightly injured anything.

[jonnM]

AnotherClarkey said:

But why is engine braking so great?

It keeps brake dust off your freshly cleaned alloys

[powerstroke]

crostonian said:

I think there may be an age gap here. Younger drivers have been taught to slow down on the brakes yet anyone who passed their test 20 years ago will not be fazed by using the engine to slow them down.

Good job we don't have many mountain roads over here, all you 'brakes only' guys would soon find out the benefits of engine braking as opposed to brakes on fire!

[Allanv]

boxedin said:

hmm. Like a lot of internet advice, its normally cobblers. A few hundred 000 miles of using engine braking, double-clutching over pads would according to the 'knowledge' kill my engines. I drive the same and have never killed, maimed or slightly injured anything.

+1

I do 32000 miles per year and always have done, see my reply above.

I have never killed a gearbox or anything else, normally change the disc and brakes at first ownership and that will last me 4-5 years.

I will also do the same on a Motorway to prevent the concertina effect. But as said before I am of an older generation so it is natural for me.

I can also change gear on a MW unlike most.

[GJR]

jamieduff1981 said:

I've noticed a lot of people saying their TVRs really don't like it. Mine doesn't seem to be fussed by it when road driving even in the cold and wet. Obviously you don't do it when going round bends etc. I guess the Rver V8s engine brake even harder or the shorter wheelbase makes them a bit twitchier.

Depends how aggressively you engine brake. The reason to avoid significant engine braking in a TVR or any other HP car, especially rwd, is that their high torque combined with low revs (if you don't heel and toe) can cause the rear wheels to lock up inducing a spin. All of us will engine brake to some extent with no issues, but in a performance car it can give you the fun of pops and bangs, or it can give you a heart attack. ;o)

[Allanv]

GJR said:

jamieduff1981 said:

I've noticed a lot of people saying their TVRs really don't like it. Mine doesn't seem to be fussed by it when road driving even in the cold and wet. Obviously you don't do it when going round bends etc. I guess the Rver V8s engine brake even harder or the shorter wheelbase makes them a bit twitchier.

Depends how aggressively you engine brake. The reason to avoid significant engine braking in a TVR or any other HP car, especially rwd, is that their high torque combined with low revs (if you don't heel and toe) can cause the rear wheels to lock up inducing a spin. All of us will engine brake to some extent with no issues, but in a performance car it can give you the fun of pops and bangs, or it can give you a heart attack. ;o)

I thought we were talking about engine breaking not aggressive just slowing down using the gearbox, I know what you mean though my 130i can be lethal if I am not careful.