Hello Scotty,
I'm coming from a manual transmission and preferred to downshift when off-ramping the highway or coasting down hills to avoid over-using the brake and taking it easier on the pads and rotors. In this new car, it has the +/- triptronic shifting on an otherwise automatic transmission in this 2017 Toyota Camry. My question is is it better to be harder on the breaks and not downshift and put wear on the transmission or other parts or better to downshift and give the brakes a rest.
Can you overdo downshifting and run the RPM's too high?
You are literally trying to bypass exactly what the brakes are made to do.
Yes, it is possible to overrev the transmission when downshifting. Just use the brakes and you'll be fine.
On modern cars with discs use the brakes. On old cars with drum brakes you could well lose your brakes due to overheating and fade on long downhill grades so it was more common back then to use the transmission to slow down. Some transmissions even had a special position on the shift quadrant specifically for that, like the "GR" (Grade Retarder) setting in the Chevrolet Turboglide.
I enjoy your little historical tidbits, Chuck. Keep it up. {pear}:laugh:
I'm just a fountain of useless information! 😆
@Chuck Tobias Thank you! So it is ok to downshift for a long hill vs. riding the brake say down a mountain, just not for everyday deceleration. Do I read it correctly?
Chuck is talking about old cars (last millennium). The particular transmission he mentioned is from the 1950's. You have 2017 model with 4 wheel discs. Use your brakes unless you're going down some really steep stuff for a while, or towing, where your brakes might start getting red hot.
Brake pads/rotors are much cheaper than a new engine or transmission: I would use the brakes.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/postid/61502/
What's cheaper to replace when it wears out? Brake parts that are easy to get to and disposable, or an automatic transmission that's supposed to last the life of the vehicle? Use the brakes. Your wallet and Camry will thank you.
Use the brake. (b-r-a-k-e)
Thanks, Joe.
I'm just a fountain of useless information!
Us old guys appreciate it. 😉
Since I have never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission (and never will), I always drop a gear and use engine braking on long down hill grades. Never had a problem.
