Engine Braking

[TRD_dude182]

Do anyone know if engine braking will ruin your engine or transmission over time?

[staticorex]

If you do it wrong it can. :p

For the most part the tranny mechs I have asked all have said it's fine.
Plus the car overrides you if you shift at the wrong speed.

[TRD_dude182]

sweet i just wanna make sure ive been doing it alot recently thanks!

[kurokoma-kun]

AFAIK if you do it right it should not be a problem.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you do it wrong (jerky), you can decrease traction, exactly the opposite of effect you may be looking for.

[eTiMaGo]

Engine braking also helps save some fuel, as the ECU stops the fuel injection, as it's not needed...

[blueskana]

I'm not a hypermiler, but using engine breaking properly and with the right timing bumped my mpg up and engine breaking is just... fun.
Cheers.

[RS07]

I always brake like that and never had any problems. It also helps the lifetime of the brakes, brakes better, faster.

[staticorex]

On a related topic...

I recently was told not to rest my hand on the shift knob. I know the potential problems this can cause on a manual, but I had never heard of it for autos.

Any validation to this?

[fnkngrv]

I never heard of what it can cause? Can someone enlighten me?

[staticorex]

I was told it can damage the shifter. A handfull of mechs have told me about cars they get in which the driver rested his arm there for years. The shifter was loose and could shift out of place unintentionally.

[eTiMaGo]

On a related topic...

I recently was told not to rest my hand on the shift knob. I know the potential problems this can cause on a manual, but I had never heard of it for autos.

Any validation to this?

Huh that's a new one... I suppose excessive weight on the shifter can stress some components, or if you push it to the side a little, it might disengage the gears a little, but with normal use, I doubt it's gonna be much of a problem!

[staticorex]

That's what I was hoping. I don't push on it. Just rest my fingers there. So I didn't expect to break it. :p