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Hey guys, I have a manual 2001 Civic and I figured that I can save my brakes by downshifting to the red lights, but I'm wondering if that would anyway damage the transmission or wear out anything? Can downshifting benefit you in the long run or will it cause you more trouble? Anyone with some input, please help.

 
Rep Power: 424

If you match the revs like you should, then the clutch doesn't slip and therefore doesn't wear. You can't cause any more damage by downshifting gears than upshifting so I don't think you'll noticable wear the transmission if you do it right.
People of the other camp will say brake pads are cheaper than transmissions.

I'll downshift if the light is red in advance, and I just coast to it. I don't do panic heel-toe downshifts through the gears if I'm close to the light when it goes... there's no point.

 
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yes, if u don't know how to drive, or if u just are lazy, just use ur brakes, cheaper than a new clutch

 
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Car engines are designed to accelerate unlike truck engines. It is not good for the powertrain to use engine compression to slow down your car. Brakes are cheaper to replace than an engine or transmission.

 
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if u let the synchros do the work then your good. thats what there for. i got 62,000 miles on the clutch and i drive a 04 civic. and my clutch still like new

 
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http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...7&page=7&pp=15

You can start at post 98

 
Rep Power: 310

62,000 miles on an 04 already? Sheesh thats some serious time behind the wheel for a damn near new car!

 
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yup i know it is. i was born and raise in hawaii and when i moved to the mainland all i could do is drive and check **** out. awesome

 
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I think it is totally irresponsible to advocate downshifting for the sole purpose of slowing a car down during normal driving. That's what the brake is for. I don't care how much of an expert you are, realisticaly, no one can rev-match perfectly each and every time. For those times when you are not able rev-match perfectly, wear and tear will occur to your clutch and drivetrain. It is much easier to spend $100 to replace the brake pads than to spend $1000 or more to replace drivetrain components. The only time it would be normal to downshift to a lower gear is during sustained downhill run where a lower gear will allow you to trade a bit of accelerated engine wear to maintain a SAFE speed.

 
Rep Power: 289

still using the tranny more. I would rather replace brake pads than replacing a tranny. It wont break your tranny or anything but it just wears it out more. I only downshift when I need to. Lets say going fast and light becoming red or when getting off a freeway.