Qustion for manual transmission users.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Virginia, USA
2009 C63 AMG
Qustion for manual transmission users.
Hey all,
I've driven many MT cars in my life. I learned and have always used engine brakes (shifting down through lower gears rather than putting it in neutral and just using the brakes) when slowing down. The other day, i was driving a friends car and he told me he never uses engine brakes. His reason was that brake pads and rotors are cheaper to replace than over working the engine and transmission. He also said he does't have the car in gear and the clutch down when he is at a stop light. He said when you step on the clutch parts are moving that wears down the clutch.
So I've been thinking. Have I been dring stick the wrong way all this time?
I've driven many MT cars in my life. I learned and have always used engine brakes (shifting down through lower gears rather than putting it in neutral and just using the brakes) when slowing down. The other day, i was driving a friends car and he told me he never uses engine brakes. His reason was that brake pads and rotors are cheaper to replace than over working the engine and transmission. He also said he does't have the car in gear and the clutch down when he is at a stop light. He said when you step on the clutch parts are moving that wears down the clutch.
So I've been thinking. Have I been dring stick the wrong way all this time?
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 7
From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
I've been doing manual transmissions for more then half my life, and always done engine braking. Yes it does increase wear on your clutch plate, but you are balancing that against lower wear on your brakes, as well as keeping your brakes from overheating if you live on hill or mountain roads.
However, the greatest advantage with engine braking is that it's a good, fluid way to maintain car control when driving. If you are on a sweeping for example, instead of shifting momentum around with your brakes, you can bleed it off or shift it over smoothly by letting the engine take up the energy you were carrying into the turn.
Just try not to over rev your Benz, OK?
However, the greatest advantage with engine braking is that it's a good, fluid way to maintain car control when driving. If you are on a sweeping for example, instead of shifting momentum around with your brakes, you can bleed it off or shift it over smoothly by letting the engine take up the energy you were carrying into the turn.
Just try not to over rev your Benz, OK?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Virginia, USA
2009 C63 AMG
I've been doing manual transmissions for more then half my life, and always done engine braking. Yes it does increase wear on your clutch plate, but you are balancing that against lower wear on your brakes, as well as keeping your brakes from overheating if you live on hill or mountain roads.
However, the greatest advantage with engine braking is that it's a good, fluid way to maintain car control when driving. If you are on a sweeping for example, instead of shifting momentum around with your brakes, you can bleed it off or shift it over smoothly by letting the engine take up the energy you were carrying into the turn.
Just try not to over rev your Benz, OK?
However, the greatest advantage with engine braking is that it's a good, fluid way to maintain car control when driving. If you are on a sweeping for example, instead of shifting momentum around with your brakes, you can bleed it off or shift it over smoothly by letting the engine take up the energy you were carrying into the turn.
Just try not to over rev your Benz, OK?
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
2008 C300 Sport 6MT X-Pipe
Hey all,
I've driven many MT cars in my life. I learned and have always used engine brakes (shifting down through lower gears rather than putting it in neutral and just using the brakes) when slowing down. The other day, i was driving a friends car and he told me he never uses engine brakes. His reason was that brake pads and rotors are cheaper to replace than over working the engine and transmission. He also said he does't have the car in gear and the clutch down when he is at a stop light. He said when you step on the clutch parts are moving that wears down the clutch.
So I've been thinking. Have I been dring stick the wrong way all this time?
I've driven many MT cars in my life. I learned and have always used engine brakes (shifting down through lower gears rather than putting it in neutral and just using the brakes) when slowing down. The other day, i was driving a friends car and he told me he never uses engine brakes. His reason was that brake pads and rotors are cheaper to replace than over working the engine and transmission. He also said he does't have the car in gear and the clutch down when he is at a stop light. He said when you step on the clutch parts are moving that wears down the clutch.
So I've been thinking. Have I been dring stick the wrong way all this time?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
A balance between the two in my opinion is the way to go. ie change down before entering a corner so you can exit in the correct gear.
If you "blip"the throttle before changing down to match engine speed to clutch will avoid wear on the clutch & over working your syncro cones in the gearbox.
My having the clutch depressed for longer than necessary will wear the clutch thrust bearing.
My manual cars have achieved over 300,000 km without clutch repairs. Gear boxes were still strong & original at 450,000km
If you "blip"the throttle before changing down to match engine speed to clutch will avoid wear on the clutch & over working your syncro cones in the gearbox.
My having the clutch depressed for longer than necessary will wear the clutch thrust bearing.
My manual cars have achieved over 300,000 km without clutch repairs. Gear boxes were still strong & original at 450,000km
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 99
Likes: 7
From: Bradenton, FL
'12 E550 4M, '14 ML5504M
The logic is sound at the from a cost of component replacement perspective, but I don't think you are replacing the whole clutch mechanism, just the friction plate and possibly a thrust bearing. I'm going to dig into this one a bit more. Stay tuned!
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Virginia, USA
2009 C63 AMG
A balance between the two in my opinion is the way to go. ie change down before entering a corner so you can exit in the correct gear.
If you "blip"the throttle before changing down to match engine speed to clutch will avoid wear on the clutch & over working your syncro cones in the gearbox.
My having the clutch depressed for longer than necessary will wear the clutch thrust bearing.
My manual cars have achieved over 300,000 km without clutch repairs. Gear boxes were still strong & original at 450,000km
If you "blip"the throttle before changing down to match engine speed to clutch will avoid wear on the clutch & over working your syncro cones in the gearbox.
My having the clutch depressed for longer than necessary will wear the clutch thrust bearing.
My manual cars have achieved over 300,000 km without clutch repairs. Gear boxes were still strong & original at 450,000km
What fun is a stick if you dont use it in corners
I guess i will have to change my driving habbit a bit and start braking in neutral when coming to a stop at a stop light.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Inland Empire, CA
C300, 330i, MDX
i agree that a balance of both is the way to go. at a stop light, i normally have the clutch depressed and car is in gear. just in case i get "bumped" from the back, the tendency is to loose footing and the engine will die when i release the clutch and the car will not roll forward to the middle of the intersection cause the gear is engaged.
