down shifting 6 speed and the brakes

[honky]

We just got this 2004 solara sle and my wife immediatly came up with a question I could not find answered here. She has always driven stick, recently a 626 Mazda. She always down shifted when slowing down and wants to know what is worse for the car down shifting the 6 speed to go easy on the brakes or go easy on the tranny and just use the brakes. Is the transmission designed for that is it well built ? Seems cheaper to replace the pads once in awhile than the transmission. Keep in mind I will do the brake work.
Thanks

[anttarz]

depends on the driver. I always do a combo, but you gotta give it gas otherwise you create A LOT of friction. If the car jerk when you down shift, just use the brakes.

[ThatVietGuy]

Start learning heel-toe downshifting

But like anttarz said, you have to remember to rev match (i.e. blip the throttle before letting go of the clutch) so that the engine RPM will match the speed of the wheels. This varies car to car though, due to gearing and whatnot, so you have to kind of learn how much throttle to give.

[Sentinel]

If you're coming to a complete stop, just hold your gear 'till idle and stick it in neutral.

If you're worried about "saving" your brakes? They're designed to be replaced. pads on all 4 corners are a helluva lot cheaper than a new tranny.

[**PoshPepper**]

If you're worried about "saving" your brakes? They're designed to be replaced. pads on all 4 corners are a helluva lot cheaper than a new tranny.

Excellent point!


I think if she is just downshifting for the sake of braking then follow Sentinel's advice... but if she wants to have fun with the car, then I say go for it... after all thats what they put the sh!t-tronic in there for right?

[jhenty]

i think half the people that posted missed the purpose of the thread, its an AUTO tanny with the manual mode, he is asking if its ok to downshift using the manual mode. If they put it in the car it should work fine when used that way.

[**PoshPepper**]

i think half the people that posted missed the purpose of the thread, its an AUTO tanny with the manual mode, he is asking if its ok to downshift using the manual mode. If they put it in the car it should work fine when used that way.

I dont really think they put sh!t-tronic (manu-matic) in cars for the purpose of DAILY driving them as manuals (because then you should just buy a manual)... that is why they are first and Auto and second a Manual... but perhaps I am underestimating the robustness of sh!t-tronic... LOL

[bassthrive]

For true manual (not manu-matic) remember this...

...a brake pad is cheaper and easier to replace than a transmission.

[SolarBoy]

The owner's manual explains downshifting the auto-manual tranny. This transmission also has some brains installed, as it will not let you downshift at too high of revs, and it will upshift at redline. If you're looking for engine braking, it's not that great unless you are really pushing it.

[Sp33d]

i think half the people that posted missed the purpose of the thread, its an AUTO tanny with the manual mode, he is asking if its ok to downshift using the manual mode. If they put it in the car it should work fine when used that way.

I dont really think they put sh!t-tronic (manu-matic) in cars for the purpose of DAILY driving them as manuals (because then you should just buy a manual)... that is why they are first and Auto and second a Manual... but perhaps I am underestimating the robustness of sh!t-tronic... LOL

you might that they are sh!t-tronic, but they are really advancing. for the porsche 911 turbo, the "sh!t-tronic" is .1 seconds faster from 0-60 than manual. i can only imagine one day where this gap widens even more.

-mark

[ThatVietGuy]

i think half the people that posted missed the purpose of the thread, its an AUTO tanny with the manual mode, he is asking if its ok to downshift using the manual mode. If they put it in the car it should work fine when used that way.

I dont really think they put sh!t-tronic (manu-matic) in cars for the purpose of DAILY driving them as manuals (because then you should just buy a manual)... that is why they are first and Auto and second a Manual... but perhaps I am underestimating the robustness of sh!t-tronic... LOL

you might that they are sh!t-tronic, but they are really advancing. for the porsche 911 turbo, the "sh!t-tronic" is .1 seconds faster from 0-60 than manual. i can only imagine one day where this gap widens even more.

-mark

DSG is really close

[---CAMRAZY---]

i think half the people that posted missed the purpose of the thread, its an AUTO tanny with the manual mode, he is asking if its ok to downshift using the manual mode. If they put it in the car it should work fine when used that way.

I dont really think they put sh!t-tronic (manu-matic) in cars for the purpose of DAILY driving them as manuals (because then you should just buy a manual)... that is why they are first and Auto and second a Manual... but perhaps I am underestimating the robustness of sh!t-tronic... LOL

I don't see a problem with Downshifting Manually, being that the tranny will not let you downshift if it is revving too high.

If it were me though, I would mate a E153 tranny to the 3MZ.... That is my next project on the black camry once the engine gives.

[MCOjerry]

How do you get a 6 speed Solara???

[PXLpainter]

How do you get a 6 speed Solara???

Only on the 4-banger and not on covert. BTW - I thought all SLEs were V6 only?

[MCOjerry]

The 4 Cyl is a 6 speed?? I thought they were all 5.