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cdyerkes
Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 137
Location: CT
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| Posted: 8/11/08 7:48AM Post subject: Downshifting in Automatic |
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I was reading the manual on my car and read the downshifting section for the automatic transmission. It's supposed to be use for using the engine to slow the car down.
Well, I tried it on a long offramp from the highway. I was going around 50 at the top and shifted into 3, then 2 and near the bottom I went into L or 1. Every time I dropped it a gear the engine started to sound like it was revving up a hill. Is this normal? I've never done this before. I don't want to damage anything by doing it wrong.
oh and my foot was not on the accelerator when shifting. |
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xravexboix
Joined: 11 Jul 2003
Posts: 1248
Location: Longo Toyota/Scion/Lexus
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| Posted: 8/11/08 7:57AM Post subject: |
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Yes, the high rev is normal. You only would use this in extended periods requiring "Engine Braking". Basically, the high speed of the engine (result of the gearing) will help slow the vehicle down. It's not for use with DAILY hills though... it's more inline for use when going down a very steep incline (driving down a mountain) to help save your brakes (from wear and overheating-- overheating brakes pads/rotors won't grab properly). It puts wear on the engine/transmission though.
So to recap:
Typically, you would just disengage the overdrive (shift to 3rd). 2nd and 1st are usually not needed. Use it when going down long, steep hills. Don't use it on offramps =P |
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tC_insomniac
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Posts: 187
Location: Orlando, Fl
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| Posted: 8/11/08 7:57AM Post subject: |
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yeah your not doing it wrong. i have a manual and all that means when you downshift the gears are rotating faster than they were in the previous, higher gear.
once you downshift just keep off the gas and you'll hear that "reving" noise get softer and youll decrease speed |
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cdyerkes
Joined: 25 May 2008
Posts: 137
Location: CT
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| Posted: 8/11/08 8:05AM Post subject: |
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| i see. thanks for the info. |
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Hokie-xD
Joined: 04 Jul 2008
Posts: 20
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, VA
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| Posted: 8/11/08 11:43AM Post subject: |
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cdyerkes, glad that you finally got your car and are loving it.
Something that you might want to consider when deciding to downshift to help slow your car is that wear and tear on your brakes is an easier maintenance item than wear and tear on your transmission. |
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ChelsDS
Joined: 21 Aug 2007
Posts: 2386
Location: SoCal
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| Posted: 8/11/08 2:26PM Post subject: |
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| I use this downshifting method often since it makes more sense to me to use it than brakes in some senarios. Especially if going down a hill. :rofl: |
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