SeaGypsy wrote:Downshifting moves wear from cheap brake pads to expensive clutch. False economy.
Dumb question. (I'm a symbol guy, not a mechanical guy, so I'm largely clueless about mechanical things, especially complex ones).
Many newer cars now have paddle shifters.
To me, paddle shifters seem kind of silly in a non-sporty car, UNLESS you're trying to get more efficiency from the car.
So for example, my new Camry SE with automatic transmission and the Inline 4 cylinder engine has paddle shifters. (I didn't even know that until the salesman pointed it out). I'd picked the SE over the LE for the firmer ride, better handling, and having the aluminum wheels included.
So I thought about WHY, since performance wise the I4 Camry is competent (compared to my former Corolla, especially at lower speeds) but NOT fast or exciting at all.
Two things occured to me:
1). If I want to pass and want a lower gear, I don't have to mash on the gas to get the car to downshift. I can just tap on the downshift paddle, and then pass, and then tap on the upshift paddle. Should save a little gas (I think -- I haven't tested that, as I don't pass that often).
2). Downshifting to save gas via engine breaking. Similar concept to the regen braking mode in an electric -- not as good but the same basic idea.
Now, I know that for manual transmission that things like clutches wear out over time and they're expensive. But in my experience, if a car isn't abused or driven, say, over 200,000 miles -- then the modern automatic transmissions (aside from CVT's which are hotly debated) are very reliable.
So if I plan to drive my car, say, 50,000 or even 80,000 miles, would using engine braking now and again on country roads tend to be hard enough on the 6 speed automatic transmission to be a concern? (Any meaningful chance of having to rebuild a transmission to save a little gasoline is insane, IMO).
Note: I'm not talking about real aggressive quick multi-gear downshift engine braking -- I'm talking about, say, using 3000 RPM's instead of the 1700ish highway speed RPM's to assist in braking a bit.