DOWNSHIFTING - manual downshifting yes or no?

[pragueX5]

I drive mostly in sport and use the paddles to change gears.
Whilist slowing down, cornering etc, or coming off highway I downshit manual so the gears "break" / helps slow down the car faster ..... this is being done on manual stick shift cars forever.....

I have heard some rumors its not good for the modern automatic transmitions.
Any validated intel on this?

** for the record, I do no go grazy on RPMS, or is done smoothly and all that. never go on hig revs on either upshit or downshift.

so once again, QUESTION is: Ïs it safe to use flappy paddles to downshifting breaking useing engine..........

[Kzang]

Agreed... that I've always done this on a manual transmission, as I was "told" to downshift for faster stop and let the engine help slow down the car to save on the brake pads and also for rev matching... but I am not sure if this practice was good or bad... I've never had any transmission or engine issues as a result. In regards to the modern auto transmission I have no idea.

[AEC]

While I don't think the vehicle would let you downshift in a way that would be harmful (i.e. over revving the engine), I can't see why you would do this anyway. In my mind, it's far cheaper to replace brakes than a transmission.

It seems that the X5 uses coasting to regenerate the battery as well. By downshifting, you are not allowing the car to do the whole "Efficient Dynamics" thing.

Also, I find the automatic transmission in the X5 to be one of the best I've ever driven. As someone who used to drive manual transmission cars, it's very rare that I find the X5 in the wrong gear during everyday driving.

[JNoSol]

It's fine. X5s have slush box transmissions, nothing really wears during a downshift/engine brake. I've been doing that to many of my cars. One catch though, engine braking with these newer engines with low pressure piston rings allow oil to pass-through (oil burn). It's not harmful as the oil will just burn off, but if you have to top oil more often then that's the reason.

Engine braking technique has been used by experience drivers for years. From tracking to going down steep hills, this technique reduces brake heat and excessive brake wear or risk of brake fade during these events.

[pragueX5]

Originally Posted by AEC

While I don't think the vehicle would let you downshift in a way that would be harmful (i.e. over revving the engine), I can't see why you would do this anyway. In my mind, it's far cheaper to replace brakes than a transmission.

It seems that the X5 uses coasting to regenerate the battery as well. By downshifting, you are not allowing the car to do the whole "Efficient Dynamics" thing.

Also, I find the automatic transmission in the X5 to be one of the best I've ever driven. As someone who used to drive manual transmission cars, it's very rare that I find the X5 in the wrong gear during everyday driving.

thanks for your input but I have something else in mind.... its for the driving style, more agressive, downshifting before a turn is always the only way to make the turn fast and proper while driving agressive. nothing to do with costs.
and I belive downshifting actualy is cost saving in terms of the Eco BS, as it allows the battery do recharge via alternator. coasting is somethine else

[pragueX5]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

It's fine. X5s have slush box transmissions, nothing really wears during a downshift/engine brake. I've been doing that to many of my cars. One catch though, engine braking with these newer engines with low pressure piston rings allow oil to pass-through (oil burn). It's not harmful as the oil will just burn off, but if you have to top oil more often then that's the reason.

thanks, I'm doing this onlyy when I drive more agressive, which is always with a properly warmed up engine anyway......... and never pass 3.5k RPMS anyway on a diesel engine, hardly even 3k........... due this massive torque this engine has no need off revving high

[pragueX5]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

It's fine. X5s have slush box transmissions, nothing really wears during a downshift/engine brake. I've been doing that to many of my cars. One catch though, engine braking with these newer engines with low pressure piston rings allow oil to pass-through (oil burn). It's not harmful as the oil will just burn off, but if you have to top oil more often then that's the reason.

Engine braking technique has been used by experience drivers for years. From tracking to going down steep hills, this technique reduces brake heat and excessive brake wear or risk of brake fade during these events.

PS> what is ""slush box tranny"? thnx

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by pragueX5

thanks, I'm doing this onlyy when I drive more agressive, which is always with a properly warmed up engine anyway......... and never pass 3.5k RPMS anyway on a diesel engine, hardly even 3k........... due this massive torque this engine has no need off revving high

I downshift and let the RPM climb to near redlines, no issues... Your auto transmission will never let you "money shift" so it's much safer than downshifting a manual.

Slushbox = regular auto transmission using a torque converter, not a dual clutch or SMG.

[TallTrees]

I find downshifting with my 35D useless, there is next to no compression braking. My previous Acura MDX had tons which made it fun in the corners. It's one of the bigger disappointments in the X5 for me.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by TallTrees

I find downshifting with my 35D useless, there is next to no compression braking. My previous Acura MDX had tons which made it fun in the corners. It's one of the bigger disappointments in the X5 for me.

That's how diesel engines work... there is little engine braking.

[TallTrees]

Originally Posted by alphaod

That's how diesel engines work... there is little engine braking.

Yep, something I didn't realize before I purchased. Oh well, not the end of the world the other benefits of the diesel more than make up for it! Torque at low RPM FTW!

[Kzang]

MPPK + RCU makes the 35i a beast IMO... Very nice low end torque as well

[P1]

Originally Posted by Kzang

MPPK + RCU makes the 35i a beast IMO... Very nice low end torque as well

What is RCU?

[Kzang]

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