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today someone told me that instead of using my break when I come up on corners/turns, or slowing down at high speeds I should try down shifting and releasing the clutch to slow the car down.

does anyone hear do this? and what will it do to my clutch? I have been driving a 5 speed for about 2 months.

 
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it will wear out the clutch (unless you match rev).... it's not necessary to do unless your brakes are gone or something along those lines.

 
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you have brakes for a reason. just use the brakes.

 
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yeah i step on the brakes down shift when i'm slowing down and turn.

 
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There are many track techniques you could use... Notice I said track...

 
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if u downshift instead of using the brakes u'll just end up burning out ur clutch faster...like the people above said, just use your brakes...

you shouldn't have to downshift unless ur going uphill or racing....usually during racing, u'd want to heal and toe

 
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i thought it was a bad idea thats why i decided to get more input on it before trying it, thanks.

 
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theres nothing wrong with downshifting if you rev match. if you downshift with rev matching used in combination with brakes, it is perfectly fine.

 
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yea if your revmatching downshifting is fine coming to a stop or a corner. But whoever told you to slow down for a turn by down-shifting is a ***. Whats cheaper brake pads or a clutch?

 
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nobody did

 
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wasn't talkin to ya cheif, the thread starter said someone told HIM

its not about you doushe bag j/k

 
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rev matching while downshifting should be ok, its what i do

 
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Rev match or Heel and Toe when coming to a stop or a turn, never just down shift and pop the clutch- you will wear it out. Here is a link for some lessons . Its from a BMW M5, but if you scroll down and click on the heel and toe theory and lesson videos, you will find some usefull info. Also check out the other videos for some great tips.

 
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Your friend is talking about engine braking... and if you want to save the brakes a little, then you could do a bit of it for slowing down... and as long as you revmatch the down shift there will be little to no extra wear on the clutch. I tend to use it a bit when putting around the streets and don't need to stop quickly. As far as using engine braking for a turn... ABSOLUTLY NOT. as engine braking is essentially the same as applying the brakes to Only the front tires, you can cause some interesting handling issues on corner entry that way.

For racing... You should not engine brake either, for reasons noted above. if your on track your brakes are plenty strong enough to stop the car... if they arnt, then your running the wrong pads.

now there are other downshifting techniques for racing that have been mentioned by others above... but you dont need to use them on the street. (and none of them are designed to supliment the brakes)

 
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which would you rather pay to replace? brake pads or your clutch?

i choose the brake pads. much cheaper to replace.

 
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Just make sure you have enough experience shifting (to where you can drive all the time without having to think about how to shift) before you start messing around with rev matching, etc.--you don't want to accidentally screw up your car.

 
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whats rev matching? just making sure ur not downshifting to too high of rpms?

 
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Heh... One sure fire way to destroy an engine is to down shift too soon.... (Rev-limiters only stop throttle on over-revs...)

 
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So you guys just throw her in neutral and use the brakes when coming up to a turn or stop? I've always downshifted, thats how I was taught, my parents drive the same and never had problems with worn out clutches. Isn't that why we have 5spds? In an auto the transmission automatically downshifts when slowing down so how can it be hard on the clutch or tranny on a manual? And if so is upshifting bad on a clutch too?


Am I missing something or doing something really wrong?

 
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i use both, to gradually slow down (if i see a redlight in the distance), i'll just cruise and shift down at about 2000 rpm every gear except for first, i dont shift into first unless if I'm at or VERY near a stop. If I have to stop fast, I just brake.

If it's a slow and gradual shifts at somethinkg like 2000 or lower rpm, it's fine. But if you're downshifting at like 3500 then it'll wear a lot faster.

And to all those that say any downshifting will wear out the clutch faster, I downshifted in my '91 hatch with 204k miles on it, and so did my parents before I owned it, and neither of us ever put a clutch in the whole 204,000 miles, so I have confidence in it. It greatly depends on if you beat on your clutch or not.

 
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heh no you're right. automatics downshit the same to gradually slow the car also. Next time all you guys are in an automatic car, notice how when braking, the car gradually shifts down. It's normal.

 
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I thought so, Like said before as long as your not downshifting with the revs high how can it be bad? manuals are meant to be ****** be it shifting up or down! right!

 
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you guys both said ****** instead of shifted. lol.

anyways, it's not really causing damage, just more wear and tear.

for example. let's say your average tranny lasts for 1 million shifts under normal use. if you downshift every gear as you slow down, look how many more shifts you are using.

in other words, it's just more wear and tear. IMO, you really shouldn't be using downshifting to slow down under normal conditions. it's unecessary and puts excess wear and tear on your clutch and tranny.

 
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lol didnt notice that..

So I should just put in neutral and coast to a stop if possible?

 
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lol downshit, lol .. good stuff.

it's up to personal preference. me personally, when I'm accelerating, I shift up. When I'm decelerating, I shift down. It makes sense to me, and as long as you do it gently it won't wear out the clutch tremendously. I always feel wierd just pushing the clutch in and letting the car brake to a stop while being in idle.