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Engine Braking Using Manual Mode '04 C240

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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 09:26 PM
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Engine Braking Using Manual Mode '04 C240

Is it harmful to downshift manually to use engine braking. I am not trying to shift from D to 2 going 70 MPH.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 09:45 PM
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Well, first the transmission will not let you shift into 2nd doing 70. The use of the engine to slow the vehicle is indicated for long downhill grades where excessive speed and use of the service brake might cause brake failure. In Florida which is about four fingers above sea level everywhere you'd never find a place to use the engine to slow the car.

I don't think it will harm the car, but it is more a matter of economics. Brake pads are about $ 80. A transmission is about $ 6,000. I know which one I would use to slow the car.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 12:32 AM
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You're not supposed to downshift while using Tiptronic.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 03:15 AM
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Originally Posted by onecoolloser
You're not supposed to downshift while using Tiptronic.
Tiptronic is a registered trademark of Porsche AG. There is no Tiptronic in Mercedes-Benz cars.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 04:11 AM
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Originally Posted by see240wag
Is it harmful to downshift manually to use engine braking.
I've been wondering the same thing. So far no one has really answered the question...

Originally Posted by onecoolloser
You're not supposed to downshift while using Tiptronic.
Your stupidity amazes me.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 08:44 AM
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It puts a lot of extra wear and tear on the engine mounts and can make them fail prematurely.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 12:24 PM
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i would use engine braking as an aid to braking on emergency cases, but not normally, i downshift all the time if im on an upper gear and going uphill, i would also use it to control the acceleration going downhill. if theres no need to use engine braking, i won't. that was a good analogy there, comparing the price of tranny and brake pads/rotors.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 02:23 PM
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I doubt there's any actual data that shows it's harmful.
I downshift all the time. Mountain roads I run at 3,
local freeway over the mountain I run at 4.
And on speed runs through the hills I use the gears a lot, occasionally downshifting to 2 on tight corners.
115 K miles...no issues yet.
Just make sure you flush the tranny regularly.
2nd from 70 mph? Not likely will the engine allow it, and if it did, that WOULD be bad. I can get up to nearly 90 in 3rd gear.
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