DOWN SHIFT IS GOOD OR BAD !?
#1
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: toronto
Gallado Spyder / AMG C63S / Cayenne
DOWN SHIFT IS GOOD OR BAD !?
Hi bros,
I down shift ALOT to slow down .... almost everytime I slow down ...am I risking anything by doing it so often ?
my 2nd gear went on the dyno so I did a full rebuild with all oem parts... so on the new tranny I still down shift ALL the time ... just wondering if im shortening the life of my tranny
thanks alot
I down shift ALOT to slow down .... almost everytime I slow down ...am I risking anything by doing it so often ?
my 2nd gear went on the dyno so I did a full rebuild with all oem parts... so on the new tranny I still down shift ALL the time ... just wondering if im shortening the life of my tranny
thanks alot
#2
I don't know if it's really bad but it's bad ..I think there is no need to do that .imaging your pistons/tranny going on full for every time you stop..(bad)doing this all the time will eventually cause something wrong to either you engine or tranny ..
#6
In my opinion it will definitely shorten the life of the tranny, but if you were to match engine speed with Road speed example blip the throttle as you hit the downshift button you can match the two but to high too low would make the tranny suck ***** also....But I have heard of guys that do it, only when I'm feeling spunky do I choose what to do with the transmission, otherwise I just let the beast be a beast. And I agree with the comments on brake pads being cheaper than any transmission repair... Stop doing that to your tranny.
#7
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 887
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From: Northern California
2004 E55 AMG; 1991 Previa
> Briefly press the gear selector level to the left in the D- direction.
The transmission will shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. This action simultaneously limits the gear rangs of the transmission. (Page 160)
3rd gear - with this selection you can use the braking effect of the engine
2nd gear - allows the use of engine's braking power when driving:
-on steep downgrades
-in mountainous regions
-under extreme operating conditions
1st gear - for maximum use of engine's braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades
The transmission will shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. This action simultaneously limits the gear rangs of the transmission. (Page 160)
3rd gear - with this selection you can use the braking effect of the engine
2nd gear - allows the use of engine's braking power when driving:
-on steep downgrades
-in mountainous regions
-under extreme operating conditions
1st gear - for maximum use of engine's braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades
page 159 & 160
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#9
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 568
Likes: 51
From: Silicon Valley
V60 Polestar, Veloster N 6MT
#13
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,649
Likes: 207
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
owners manual says its good.
> Briefly press the gear selector level to the left in the D- direction.
The transmission will shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. This action simultaneously limits the gear rangs of the transmission. (Page 160)
3rd gear - with this selection you can use the braking effect of the engine
2nd gear - allows the use of engine's braking power when driving:
-on steep downgrades
-in mountainous regions
-under extreme operating conditions
1st gear - for maximum use of engine's braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades
http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...tic_sedans.pdf
page 159 & 160
> Briefly press the gear selector level to the left in the D- direction.
The transmission will shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. This action simultaneously limits the gear rangs of the transmission. (Page 160)
3rd gear - with this selection you can use the braking effect of the engine
2nd gear - allows the use of engine's braking power when driving:
-on steep downgrades
-in mountainous regions
-under extreme operating conditions
1st gear - for maximum use of engine's braking effect on very steep or lengthy downgrades
http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalA...tic_sedans.pdf
page 159 & 160
Yes to the original question, IMO, you will likely shorten the life of your trans.
Last edited by chiromikey; 06-09-2014 at 12:58 PM.
#15
It's common sense, the tranny works twice as much if you downshift to brake so of course it's going to wear out your clutch packs twice as fast. If you want to shorten the life of your tranny then go for it man.
#16
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 2
From: Northern California
2004 E55 AMG; 1991 Previa
I don't think that's what the manual says. Downshifting is different than using a certain gear for engine braking. Downshifting continuously for no reason (and at higher rpms than the trans would otherwise use) will wear out trans parts quicker whereas selecting a certain gear for engine braking on a steep downgrade won't. No serious car enthusiast will ever tell you engine braking is a good thing, that's what brakes are for.
Yes to the original question, IMO, you will likely shorten the life of your trans.
Yes to the original question, IMO, you will likely shorten the life of your trans.
#17
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,649
Likes: 207
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
#18
Not only does this do harm to the clutch packs, but think about this logically. If your engine is spinning higher RPMs, everything in the motor is spinning faster, i.e main bearings, rod bearings, camshafts, things spinning inside seals (rear main), pistons going up and down more cycles inside cylinder walls, valve trains, all of which is wear and tear. Wear and tear eventually kills all engines regardless of make and builder. Ask any machinist and they will tell you that every time you use something that is one less time it is going to work later. Why would you want to do that to your car? Any car. Like Chiro said, that's what brakes are for. Pads/rotors versus $4k transmissions and $8k engines seems a bargain to me.
#20
Not only does this do harm to the clutch packs, but think about this logically. If your engine is spinning higher RPMs, everything in the motor is spinning faster, i.e main bearings, rod bearings, camshafts, things spinning inside seals (rear main), pistons going up and down more cycles inside cylinder walls, valve trains, all of which is wear and tear. Wear and tear eventually kills all engines regardless of make and builder. Ask any machinist and they will tell you that every time you use something that is one less time it is going to work later. Why would you want to do that to your car? Any car. Like Chiro said, that's what brakes are for. Pads/rotors versus $4k transmissions and $8k engines seems a bargain to me.
aside from that little oversight, i agree with the rest.