nick.cfrancis Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Me and Spec-B'ro are having a difference of opinions. Anyone care to chime in: Should you downshift or put the car in neutral when slowing down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I leave it in whatever gear I'm currently in to engine brake while I'm braking and then put it in neutral before it hits the stall point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssTeeAai Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Yes, keep it in gear as long as possible. In an emergency situation when you're gonna need to step on the gas to avoid an accident, being in the right gear will save you seconds. And seconds count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urfsin Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I do both, it just depends on my mood. Slide It Sideways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apexi Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I do both, it just depends on my mood. I was just about to say the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Cannot Play Bass Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Yes, keep it in gear as long as possible. In an emergency situation when you're gonna need to step on the gas to avoid an accident, being in the right gear will save you seconds. And seconds count. Cosign. In the Legacy, I downshift before I hit my brakes, unless I just missed a light, traffic is stopping unexpectedly, or I am in first or second gear. When a car has a lighter clutch pedal and I feel that it would not grab as it engages, I will go to the brake first and downshift as the car is slowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adreyna Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Yes, keep it in gear as long as possible. In an emergency situation when you're gonna need to step on the gas to avoid an accident, being in the right gear will save you seconds. And seconds count. I agree, in my RSX-S I always downshifted to engine brake and tap my brakes so my it wouldnt rev up so high. In my 5eat I still do the same... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serb Legacy GT Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 In terms of what's better for the car...it makes no difference at all. Whether you downshift before stopping or go to neutral it makes no difference mechanically or reliability wise. For me personally, sometimes I downshift and sometimes I put it in neutral. It depends. If I'm a distance away and the light turns red, I'll pop it in neutral and coast and and apply the brake as I get up to traffic. Other times I'll downshift and slow down that way as the traffic may start moving by the time I get up there. Other times I may downshift and brake as I get to the light/traffic. There is no 'right way' or 'better way'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Coast as much as I can. I tend to know what's around me so the chances of needing power in a instent is pretty rare. I tend to watch traffic and the up coming traffic lights and let the engine idle instead of using the compression and vacuum to slow me down. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbang Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 In gear whenever possible. There have been a few times that had I been coasting, I probably would not have had a whole car anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 just drive however the **** you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbang Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 just drive however the **** you want. <3 It's a heart btw. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialB Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I usually put it in neutral, bounce the needle off the rev limiter and then slam it into first gear coming from whatever gear i was in previously. Keeps the carbon out of the exhaust and keeps the clutch from burning....lmao! Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee07 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 In the city or around town I push in the clutch and hold it while stepping on the brakes as well. So in gear(under 30mph or stop and go traffic) Exiting off a freeway I throw it in N and coast up or down the ramp and then step on the brakes as I near the intersection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Coast as much as I can. I tend to know what's around me so the chances of needing power in a instent is pretty rare. I tend to watch traffic and the up coming traffic lights and let the engine idle instead of using the compression and vacuum to slow me down. Pretty much my style too, but I do rev-match and engine brake as much as possible... especially downhill, which is likely why my brakes last so long. Plus, as others have said, emergency avoidance is that much easier to initiate. just drive however the **** you want. Or this.... - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I usually put it in neutral, bounce the needle off the rev limiter and then slam it into first gear coming from whatever gear i was in previously. Keeps the carbon out of the exhaust and keeps the clutch from burning....lmao! Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2 Oh great, I'll have to remember to follow everything you say from now on...LOL 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robitrice Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 i go into neutral, otherwise what special b said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Don't forget that you're using gas while in neutral vs engine braking. I only coast in neutral if I need to roll a longer distance before needing to stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Don't forget that you're using gas while in neutral vs engine braking. QUOTE] So when you using the engine compression to slow the car down, no fuel is being pumped into the cylinders to keep the engine running. I didn't realize that. Never thought about it. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOHCstunr Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Don't forget that you're using gas while in neutral vs engine braking. QUOTE] So when you using the engine compression to slow the car down, no fuel is being pumped into the cylinders to keep the engine running. I didn't realize that. Never thought about it. Exactly. At idle the engine requires fuel. If you leave it in gear it uses no fuel. In all actuality it also gives the cylinders a chance to cool down and the spark plugs to clean themselves because only fresh cool air with zero fuel is being inhaled by the engine. If there is a red light far ahead I just leave it in the highest gear I can without lugging the engine. That way its not too loud. Another factory is that downshifting to engine brake will (marginally) help to reduce pad wear. Potentially extending the life of your brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xero287 Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I like engaging auto pilot when I don't feel like steering or controlling the throttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingbang Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I use the side of the g/fs head to steer sometimes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 Don't forget that you're using gas while in neutral vs engine braking. I only coast in neutral if I need to roll a longer distance before needing to stop. But if you have to drive further using gas because the engine braking slows you down more than coasting, isn't that going to be about the same averaged out. I was thinking about while driving home with another 400lbs of lime in the car. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr4v3r Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 what i want, when i want Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Sinister Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 But if you have to drive further using gas because the engine braking slows you down more than coasting, isn't that going to be about the same averaged out. Probably, but I don't always engine brake. I assess the situation I'm in when slowing down and I'll either engine brake or coast in neutral. One example would be a freeway exit ramp that's at an incline. If I engine brake, I won't make it to the top so I tend to put it in neutral and coast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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