Engine brake

[QX4ME]

I used to engine brake every now and then to save brake pads a little.Recently I noticed it takes longer to feel engine brake when going from 2 to 1 than many years ago. The time it takes to shift from D to 2 is the same (very short) as years ago.

It seems that the time it takes to start engine brake effect from 2 to 1 depends on the coasting speed. Higher speed takes longer time. it sometimes takes five or more seconds to engine brake. However, when I come close to the red light at lower speed, 2 to 1 engine brake takes a fraction of a second only.

Otherwise this car has no problem at all.

[JonathanPrem]

Isn't that bad for the transmission.

[miamiheat3332]

yeah thats what i thought, you shouldnt be shifting your automatic while your driving lol, bad bad bad

[Densetsu]

I downshift in the mountains to maintain a reasonable speed when going down long hills. If I used the brakes instead, it'd lead to brake fade; and then when I needed to make an emergency stop (e.g. a bear on the road) I wouldn't have any stopping power left.

Aside from that, no, don't really downshift to slow or stop my A/T vehicles.

[fueler]

dont downshift while driving to slow down your automatic QX4

i used to do that all the time, and one day i also noticed that it wasnt quite downshifting the same as it used to. the very next day, my qx4 wouldnt leave first gear. Imagine driving to work, redlining your engine but only going 25 mph

New transmission $1500 its in the shop right now

dont downshift while driving to slow down your automatic QX4. Let the brakes do all the work, they are cheaper to replce than a transmission!!

[QX4ME]

I used to downshift on my 94 Altima, 96 Maxima and now Qx4. I had no transmission failures. The owner's manual said to use engine brake when going down the slope...

Yes that's true that to replace the brake is cheap enough. Maybe I need to correct my habit. Downshift only when there will be a brake overheating.

A side note: One time I accidentally shifted Altima into reverse when going down on a overpass. Engine stalled. I put it in neutral then started it again. It went on with no problem. I was really scared that time thinking the gear/teeth would be all busted. To me, Nissan's transmission is so solid.

[fueler]

Maybe I need to correct my habit. Downshift only when there will be a brake overheating.

I think its OK if you do it smoothly, like for example if you put it in "2" while sitting at a standstill or travelling very slowly at the top of the hill is ok. but putting it into a lower gear while already barreling down the hill, and the car actually jerks as it switches gears, i think thats bad for it.

i been downshifting mine since i bought it with 60k miles and now i have 180k miles

then again it doesnt help that i towed a 4,000 lb car, from sealevel up to 5000feet elevation, with smoke coming out of the A/C vents. That could not have been good for my transmission, which failed about three weeks later.

Quote »A side note: One time I accidentally shifted Altima into reverse when going down on a overpass. Engine stalled. I put it in neutral then started it again. It went on with no problem. I was really scared that time thinking the gear/teeth would be all busted. To me, Nissan's transmission is so solid.[/quote]Ive done that too, didnt see any negative effects immediately after