Apologies for the random topic, but I had this discussion with a few friends today. They find it weird how I use the gears to slow my car down rather than using the brakes. I'm not discussing emergency stops here, just coming up to roundabouts or corners.

If you were driving on a level 40MPH road towards a corner which needed to be taken at 20MPH, how would you slow down? I'd change into third gear, but all of my friends say they would brake and then change gear afterwards.

Peter.

I'd brake or slow to an appropriate speed and then change gear, if I change into a gear that's inappropriate for the speed then yes the car will slow down but my God does she complain about it!

Friends? I didn't know you had friends!

When I'm on my bike (a bit different but the same concept) I use my gears to slow down. Partly due to the mega engine braking effect of the 450 engine, and partly due to the sheer weight of the damn thing. Only if there's a very tight corner, or a berm which I can square off on do I use my brakes. And it's the back one at that.

Changing gear down in order to slow down is called engine braking.

I use it when coming to a stop as an accompaniment to the actual brakes. I don't know why, I just find that I do it.

It is also used when going down steep hills to stop your car from going too fast without having to keep your foot on the brake.

I don't really know the implications of it but, yes, I use it too.

Yup I use it.

Though without going for a long drive and paying close attention to the situations in which I brake I couldn't for the life of you tell me how I brake most frequently...

I usually use engine braking, then use the brakes as extra "power", when engine braking isn't enough, for situations which are foreseeable.

I never use engine breaking. As far as I'm concerned I really don't want to put excess stress on my engine mounts. My brakes are there for a reason, to slow me down, my engine is there for a reason, to speed me up. *shrug*

Mark

I use engine braking whenever possible. It's vastly more fuel efficient.
Modern cars stop the fuel flow to the engine when you are using engine braking so doing so means you use zero fuel when slowing down.

Obviously slamming from 4th to 2nd to slow down will put rather excessive strain on the clutch and engine but that's not how to do it. Slow down in each gear to the point at which it's appropriate to change down. Done properly engine braking shouldn't put significantly more strain on your car than smooth acceleration.

But it'll double the wear on your clutch.

Mark

First thing my driving instructor ever taught me wasie. Don't use the gears to slow the car down. Modern disc brakes are a sooooo much better than old drum ones...... use them.

IIRC the IAM advice is that gears are for go, brakes are for slow. They advise not using engine braking. Heather?
When I had a manual, I was pretty good at it, as Dave says, just using the brake when needed. Of course, this isn't terribly helpful for the car behind you.

Looking ahead and using engine braking keeps the vehicle better balanced and in the right gear to accelerate again, should it be needed.

Done right (double de-clutching), it shouldn't put any significant wear on the clutch. Driving clutchless puts even less strain on it - although you need to know the engine and gearbox well though.

Perhaps I should have been clearer. I'm not talking about changing down gear prematurely to slow down. If there is sufficient road space and a clear view then I will back off the accelerator so the car slows down to a point at which the engine revs are appropriate to change down a gear. As a gear change (wrt to the OP) is required anyway there shouldn't be any significant additional wear on the clutch as the speed at which the gear change is made, whether slowed down by the brakes or the engine, should be roughly the same.

Obviously if instead of slowing down slowly you drop a gear to dramatically increase the slowing effect of the engine then you will put a lot more strain on the clutch but that's not what I'm talking about. If you need to slow down quickly then obviously the brakes are the best way to do so.

My Dad has been driving in this fashion for years and IIRC I don't think he's ever had to replace the clutch on any of the cars he's owned (and he tends to drive them until they are worth virtually nothing part ex).

I always use the engine to slow the car down when approaching a roundabout or other planned breaking. I guess I'd change into 3rd about 45mph and 2nd at about 35mph. There's no significant wear on the clutch unless change down too early and let it slip. It's no different to changing up or down any other time, unless you're doing it wrong.

In cars of a certain age, if you relied purely on the brakes somewhere like Milton Keynes then they'd have totally faded by the third roundabout! Modern disk brakes are obviously far better, but they still wear out. I've never had clutch problems, but I've had brake pads replaced loads of times. I've driven some pretty high mileage cars.

Until recently, I’ve always used engine braking. My first couple of cars needed it so it was a habit I got into. The current car uses some kind of special space brakes (I believe it’s known as ABS), and the thinking in the Crossfire driver community is to trust the brakes for slowing down. I’m kind of starting to drive like that - the brakes are very positive, certainly far better in response than on the previous car or the other half’s Zafira.

I do use engine braking depending in circumstances, but dropping down a cog or two is becoming more in preparation to move off at the speed I am travelling.

I engine brake far more when driving the Zafira than the Crossfire as the Vauxhall brakes seem less responsive (and yes, it is regularly serviced).