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.

 

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

 

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

 

i see. thanks for the info.

 

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.

 

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.