proper useage of brakes vs. downshifting

[Scott Williams <sfwilliams@home.com>]

Transmissions don't "blow up" because of downshifts like this. Bad shifts may grind
away synchros, etc., but simple downshifting ain't gonna wreck anything.
Revmatching (and double clutching while you're at it) makes everything smoother and
reduces the wear and tear tremendously. Doing this, however, negates 90% of the
engine braking effect, though.

HOWEVER, generally using the engine as a brake (as applied through the
transmission) is a foolish thing to do from a performance driving point of view.
You don't get precise modulation of the braking effort, you throw your powerband
all over the place, spend too much time trying to be smooth with your clutch, etc.

The brakes are there to stop the car and downshifting [when done properly] puts the
power where you want it. The only exception to this is when you run out of brakes
(or know that you are going to). An example of this might be a woefully underbraked
Showroom Stock (or IT) racecar such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse. The rules prohibit
these guys from running "enough" brakes so compromises must be made.

God intended your brakes to stop your car. End of story.
--
Scott F. Williams
NJ Scirocco nut
SCCA ProRally driver
Hotrod Rabbit GTi



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