Best way to slow down?

Antwon · 14-08-2010, 06:14 PM

Hey guys, ive got an AU3 XR6 5 speed manual, and just wondering what is the best way to slow down with a manual?

Ive heard that using gears over time makes the gearbox sloppy, stuffs the piston rings, and stuffs the clutch/thrust bearing. But then ive also heard that putting it in neutral is bad for the gearbox because theres no oil flow? Ive been told to just leave it in gear (e.g doing 60km/h in 4th, leave it in 4th until say 35km/hand put it in 2nd), but to me that feels a bit unco. So just wondering whats the best way for the car to slow down?

4Vman · 14-08-2010, 06:19 PM

Use the brakes..

Gaz · 14-08-2010, 06:29 PM

There's not oil pump in a manual so oil flow isn't really an issue I'd think.

flappist · 14-08-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Use the brakes..

And you wonder why you victorians use up your brembos so quickly.......

I always use the gears to slow down, have done so for 35 years and well over a million kilometres and have NEVER ruined a clutch or gearbox.

I also have got over 85,000km out of the brembos in my GT-P, 75,000km in my F6 and have currently 60,000km in my datto.

4Vman · 14-08-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

And you wonder why you victorians use up your brembos so quickly.......

I always use the gears to slow down, have done so for 35 years and well over a million kilometres and have NEVER ruined a clutch or gearbox.

I also have got over 85,000km out of the brembos in my GT-P, 75,000km in my F6 and have currently 60,000km in my datto.

ok, use the gears too!! just use the brakes more.

BFZF8 · 14-08-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Use the brakes..

I'm with you on that one. Brakes are for slowing, gears are for going.

sk8xr8 · 14-08-2010, 06:48 PM

O M G.... just drive the car, holy jebus......

yift · 14-08-2010, 06:50 PM

using the gears is good aslong as you ot do it at a) high rpm b) dropping the clutch on downshift, that is what ruins the clutch plate.

as for flappist getting 85k out of brembo brakes, mate that is bloody awesome. you could be one of those drivers that likes to brake very very early and very very lightly.

HULK EF · 14-08-2010, 06:56 PM

give the engine a blip on the throttle to match the revs to gearbox speed so as to not get that rear tyre's momentarily locking up and chirping..

FrogInASock · 14-08-2010, 06:56 PM

Tree.

HULK EF · 14-08-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrogInASock

Tree.

seems like lots of people have allready taken yuor advice.. lol (no offense to those who have)

302 XC · 14-08-2010, 07:10 PM

I used a power pole to stop once
Didnt really work,still took 100 metres to stop

Dont think its very advisable to be in nuetral to slow down or stop

flappist · 14-08-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yift

using the gears is good aslong as you ot do it at a) high rpm b) dropping the clutch on downshift, that is what ruins the clutch plate.

as for flappist getting 85k out of brembo brakes, mate that is bloody awesome. you could be one of those drivers that likes to brake very very early and very very lightly.

Yep, especially on track days at QLD raceway, Lakeside and Morgan Park.

Again, I use the clutch and downshifting almost constantly. No ruined clutches in way over a million kilometres.

What I don't do is stop start stop start stop start using the brakes in traffic every day.

Jim Goose · 14-08-2010, 07:17 PM

Umm.. gee id like to see how some would slow a truck down just using brakes??

What sort of driving instructors do they have these days where they dont teach you to down shift to slow down???
Engine braking and using the brakes is um... common sence.

Tell me how on earth do you take off after you slowed to 60kmh from 100kmh on the highway?
In 5th gear or you downshift?

galaxy xr8 · 14-08-2010, 07:17 PM

Most of my previous vehicle's have been manual's, and I use the gear's when slowing down, curently I drive my laser as a daily and I sit it in 5th cruising around town and when comming to a stop I go back through the gear's, all but 1st, till I come to a stop and then place it in 1st, so yes, I believe it is better to do this.

pottery beige · 14-08-2010, 07:18 PM

stop thinking about it.. you will hurt your head..

Road_Warrior · 14-08-2010, 07:20 PM

I've used engine braking for years in all of the manual cars I have owned. The only time I have ever stuffed a clutch, gearbox or engine was from doing lawn burnouts.

Not to mention, using the gears to assist you in slowing the car down gives you a better gear to start with if you accelerate again.

Seduce XR6 · 14-08-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Yep, especially on track days at QLD raceway, Lakeside and Morgan Park.

Again, I use the clutch and downshifting almost constantly. No ruined clutches in way over a million kilometres.

What I don't do is stop start stop start stop start using the brakes in traffic every day.

When I was a Teenager I used to have to use the gears & brakes often to stop in time before I hit something lol

Now I am all grown up & can just use the brakes like a normal person

It all depends though on a situation does it not as in if your just driving like a nut as I did when I was a teenager & need to use both brakes & gears to slow then grow up & drive slower, however if you mean using gears to help you slow while say going down a steep hill that makes sense & is what I often do with the auto (well ZF pretty much does it for you).

My brakes are hardly worn as I anticipate traffic slowing & mostly slow enough just by taking foot from throttle to allow vehicle to slow up though of course do need to use brakes at times but always try to ease brakes on & not jump on them.

My Wife used to be one of the drive flat out till the last minute & then apply the brakes hard types but over the years with me whinging she is much better now though at times she can revert back to old habits.

And is nothing wrong leaving a manual in a gear rather than changing but I would say if you mean chucking it back a cog which brings on the redline & using engine braking to slow is just silly.

So yes you can use your gears to slow down in the right situation

Seduce XR6 · 14-08-2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Umm.. gee id like to see how some would slow a truck down just using brakes??

What sort of driving instructors do they have these days where they dont teach you to down shift to slow down???
Engine braking and using the brakes is um... common sence.

Tell me how on earth do you take off after you slowed to 60kmh from 100kmh on the highway?
In 5th gear or you downshift?

Not the same as trucks are diesel & have exhaust brakes dont they?

Also the gearboxes are much tougher & somewhat made for this with the split diffs etc..

EVL BOS · 14-08-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

What sort of driving instructors do they have these days where they dont teach you to down shift to slow down???
Engine braking and using the brakes is um... common sence.

when i was learning to driving my instructor told me when i brake to chuck into second and once stopped put it into 1st, but luckily my parents told me to gear down so my instructor said that i could gear down just as long as i released the clutch between gears in my test(he was also surprised i could and happy as well). apparently according to him they teach kids to put it into second cause thier more likely to pass their test cause a lot of kids don't understand the whole gearing down concept,

4.0i_SiX · 14-08-2010, 07:31 PM

Use a combination of the two, biased more towards braking though as brake pads are easier and cheaper to change than a clutch ( ie slow down enough with the brakes before dropping back a gear )

pottery beige · 14-08-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antwon

Hey guys, ive got an AU3 XR6 5 speed manual, and just wondering what is the best way to slow down with a manual?

Ive heard that using gears over time makes the gearbox sloppy, stuffs the piston rings, and stuffs the clutch/thrust bearing. But then ive also heard that putting it in neutral is bad for the gearbox because theres no oil flow? Ive been told to just leave it in gear (e.g doing 60km/h in 4th, leave it in 4th until say 35km/hand put it in 2nd), but to me that feels a bit unco. So just wondering whats the best way for the car to slow down?

just do whatever youve been doing... brakes, gears whatever.. be gentle and you will never hurt anything.....

**Revolver** · 14-08-2010, 08:06 PM

Use that little confusing pedal in between the Clutch & Throttle pedals.

No, seriously, I dont think its a big problem. Do as you choose. Downshift/Brake, just brake, neutral, & brake. Just drive to the situation & conditions.

20focus05 · 14-08-2010, 08:23 PM

Bah, use both I get over 100k out of my brakes when everyone else is getting 30!!!
dont double clutch with syncro boxes
keeping ingear while slowing down reduces fuel usage (fuel injected only, no fuel in used while engine is over idle and the accel is totally off)

jason71 · 14-08-2010, 08:24 PM

Gears for going, brakes for stopping.

I never use the gears for slowing always the brakes.
With practice you can use heel and toe to match the rpm with the lower gear.

If I am on a long downhill I will use lower gears to hold a speed.

Yellow_Festiva · 14-08-2010, 08:27 PM

In the 200,000+ km I had the Festiva I almost always geared down to reduce speed. After 10 years of ownership It still drove as new.

Futher to that, it still had the original factory rotors up front and was only on my 3rd set of pads up front, and 2nd set on shoes on the rear. As well as the factory clutch.

I have never heard of the mechanical problems you mention as a result of gearing down as well.

svo supporter · 14-08-2010, 08:28 PM

Downshift whilst braking. That's the best way. Yeah, might use a bit more fuel, but you stop quicker, as you're using the engine as well as the brakes to slow down. I even brake the same way with an auto.

KR1STO · 14-08-2010, 08:33 PM

Have always been downshifting gears to slow down...
Have been doing 120,000kms a year for the last five years and never had any gearbox problems at all....
This has been in newish Hiluxes...

**Burnout** · 14-08-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

ok, use the gears too!! just use the brakes more.

Personally I'd slow down a bit after, say 55, this means you can stop completely around 65.

**GasoLane** · 14-08-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Umm.. gee id like to see how some would slow a truck down just using brakes??

I do it all the time. Disc brakes on the Truck and both trailers means that the Engine brakes are usually only used on long downhill runs and NEVER in towns..... Unless you're one of the corkheads that like using the Jakes to see how many windows they rattle.