I drive up/down a fairly big, windy mountainside going to/from work. On the downhill slope, I've noticed that the car seems to shift into 3rd when applying the brakes, i.e. the rpms go up a bit, the engine gets louder and it seems to hold back more. Is this something programed in? Is my car just super smart (Hi Kit! How are you today!)? I checked the owners manual and didnt see anything about this.

It happens pretty reliably at the same point on the slope, but isnt 100% consistant, maybe more like 90%.

Its a 2009 xD with about 7k on it. I've had it for 4 months now. I <3 the car!

 

yes its normal it helps keep your speed under control, while your going down a steep grade

 

Ahh, thats what I thought but I wanted to make sure because I didnt see anything about it in the manual.

 

its engine braking essentially, forces it to run in a higher (tensioned) gear, to help the engine slow down even more, and take stress off the transaxle.

 

Actually, it is taking stress off the brakes, not off the engine. The lower gearing causes the drivetrain to take up more of the "stress."

 

mmmm...actually that makes sense...guess i thought wrong :D haha

 

Yep, it saves wear and tear on the brakes pads and rotors. I never had a car that did this on its own tho. I think its just awesome!! Previous to my xD I only ever drove domestics and always had to manually take the car out of overdrive on some of the nasty hills we have around here.

 

My Sprinter van does the same thing... but that's the only modern automatic vehicle I own, so I don't know how common it is.

 

Yes the tCs do the same thing too. And surprisingly mine is a 5 speed and it does a similar thing. When driving on the highway if i release the gas, the fuel loop stays closed and the car keeps rolling, (kinda like overdrive in an auto) But if i go down a steep grade the fuel loop opens and basically give the effect of engine beraking. Great feature, whether intentional or not.

 

i actually noticed the same thing...i have a 5spd xD, i thought that feature was pretty cool too. definitely a good safety feature.