kevine310

Hi there, I've heard alot about using the manual mode of the gearbox to use engine break to slow the car, I just want a little bit more info (I've never driven a manual before).

When I approach a light at around 40mph, I flick the gear shift to the left, it would down shift, but the rev would go up and it wouldn't really slow the car down that much, I would down shift again and the rev ould go WAY up, I done find it that much better than just coasting. Is there a better way to do this? thanks

pointman

Yeah, use the brake.

OttoBon100

Like pointman just said - use the brake. Replacing pads and rotors are MUCH cheaper than repairing/replacing a transmission or possibly doing harm to the engine downshifting constantly just to slow down. I doubt Mercedes had continuous use for downshifting in mind when they designed the "touchmatic" (or is it tiptronic?) transmission.

chixdiggit

It's not healthy for the engine to have the revs jump from 2000RPMs to 5000. That's what the breaks are for.

fkong777

You should do engine braking for emergency only or to prevent the car from going faster going down a long grade.

Not recommend to do that to slow down your car on a regular basis. Too much stress to the trans and protential over revving your motor.

IT is true with that brake pads are cheap. Drive train is not.

marcelc

Agreed, except that the CPU prevents shifting if that would over rev the engine.

mihir_d

a bit off topic, but the other day, I decided to rev up my 06 Subaru Tribeca all the way up, while in park...guess what, the CPU cut me off at just 4400 rpm...it seems the CPU has 2 different cut off points for when reved up in Park/Neutral (4400 rpm), or when reved up while engaged in any of the gears (6400 rpm).

I think, that is smart...don't think the ML does this...

Another smart feature I noticed about the Subaru tranny CPU, is when you shift from D to manual, it automatically selects the right gear for you...

don't think the ML does that either..

instead the ML will only shift you to 4 and then have you decide what gear you would want to be in.

How did the Japanese get so smarter than the germans?

Of course, I am comparing two somewhat apart model years...2000 ML Vs. 2006 Subaru..but you think, the germans are way ahead in their thinking...

There are plenty of features in the 2000 ML that are still ahead of the 2006 models...but its outdated on this front, I guess...

kevine310

thanks for all the replies.

I really only intend to use engine break when doing down long steep hills, but I wanted to try it on level ground and see what happens, since there isn't a D2 or D1 gear directly selectable like other cars.

55fanatic

my ML cuts me off at 4500RPM... in Park or neutral while stopped... I can be moving in neutral and I can redline it, I bt your subie is the same way... I bet you wont find many Japanese cars from 2000 that have that option, or 5.4liter engine in an SUV either, hehe

My 06 E class will shift in to the correct gear when I put it in manual mode... and also does the same thing with the revving in neutral, park, gear at a stop, but when rolling I can free rev it in neutral

OttoBon100

English may be your second language so just so you know the difference: "Brake" is the proper term for the equipment you use to slow or stop the car when you push down on the "brake" pedal. You can use a dictionary to look up the definition of the other term you are using improperly - "break". Hope this is helpful

KENNETH04S

BRAKE IS UR ONLY CHOICE ( beside your life )

kevine310

Sorry for the spelling mistakes, sometimes your brain just doesn't catch up to your fingers. LOL

I meant to say "engine brake".

FYI, engine BRAKE refers to the process of limiting your speed by your engine rev, or if you want to get technical, putting a negative force on your transmission and engine. If you look at any owners manual or driving handbook, they should explain this procedure. It's commonly used a long time ago by truckers when going down long hills to reduce excessive heating of the actual brakes of the car. It's also used in off-road situations when doing down steep hills in order to maintain traction.

For everyone else,
After further research, I've confirmed that engine brake in modern gas engines is useless and not recommended. So I hope it didn't do too much damage to my car, LOL. It is in fact prohibited in some areas. So spread the word.