Can I downshift from DRIVE to NEUTRAL when I am approaching a red light. I find this helps with slowing down and reduces brake pad wear.
I am worried that going NEUTRAL when the car is still in motion might reduce by CVT's life.
It is illegal to put the car into netutal while you drive. And it does increase the brake wear since you can not use the engine brake to slow down.
One, it is NOT illegal (at least in any state that I can find) to coast in neutral. Two, I would not think that any CVT would give you much engine braking since they automatically disengage or worse stay in a high gear and continue to apply some forward energy.
I once believed that engine braking a manual transmission was the best practice, however, after seeing how easy it is to service brakes vs the difficulty of changing out a clutch I have decided that braking is more efficient than engine braking. I now reserve my engine braking for long mountain descents where the worry is keeping brakes cool.
what is an engine brake?
what is an engine brake?
An engine brake is when engine compression vacuum is used to help slow down the car. When you leave the car in gear and let off the accelerator, the engine will may help slow the engine down. This easier done on a manual transmission.
We should rarely coast in neutral. It’s illegal.
what is an engine brake?
With a manual or conventional automatic transmission, it means downshifting to use the engine to slow the car down. I'm not sure it's possible to do with a CVT, or a good idea. Check your owner's manual.
The biggest factor with engine braking is that replacing engines and transmissions are thousands of dollars, whereas brake pads are pretty cheap, especially if you do them yourself. Which is better to receive extra wear?
