DOWN SHIFTING - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Nessal · 07-03-2012, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamZ

I do both. Neutral saves gas. Downshifting sounds better and you get the decel pops in each gear

.

Actually neutral does not save gas. It uses more than engine braking.

Nessal · 07-03-2012, 01:32 AM

By the way, I don't like to be in neutral when coming to a stop incase I need the power instantaneously for any emergency maneuvers.

'70 RS · 07-03-2012, 01:33 AM

engine braking

06_warrior · 07-03-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nessal

Actually neutral does not save gas. It uses more than engine braking.

Huh? How do you figure when using nuetral lowers rpms thus uses less gas.

MikeSVX · 07-03-2012, 01:39 AM

I down shift. I like to listen to the popping the engine makes when it's revving down.

MikeSVX · 07-03-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06_warrior

Huh? How do you figure when using nuetral lowers rpms thus uses less gas.

New engines cut fuel when engine braking. Neutral still uses fuel to idle. It really isn't enough of a difference to really matter however.

JohnnyBfromPeoria · 07-03-2012, 01:42 AM

Brakes are cheaper and easier to replace than a clutch.

John B.

MikeSVX · 07-03-2012, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSGUNNER

When I drive a manual I throw in neutral to slow down and use the brakes. This is interesting. So is there any CONS to either or???

Engine braking is a little more wear on the clutch and driveline components. Using idle wears the brakes a little faster. Which to do is just a matter of opinion and personal preference.

Nessal · 07-03-2012, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06_warrior

Huh? How do you figure when using nuetral lowers rpms thus uses less gas.

Nope.

When you put it in neutral, the car uses fuel to keep the engine running. When you engine brake, fuel is cut and the transmission keeps the engine rotating.

E.T. · 07-03-2012, 05:13 AM

When driving in tapmode (L99) I'll usually downshift a little earlier than the computer normally would, say around 2000 RPMs, but I also brake, too.

ParisTNDude · 07-03-2012, 05:36 AM

Engine braking doesn't use any more fuel than being in neutral. When your foot is off the throttle, the throttle body is shut and only idle level fuel is consumed. However, most people who downshift, blip the throttle between the gears and that does use more fuel. It wouldn't be smart to downshift without blipping the throttle to match engine RPM to transmission speed either since simply letting the clutch out will certainly put strain on the transmission and wear on the clutch. In an urgent stopping situation, downshifting should reduce brake distances. Watch any road race and you will always hear them downshift long before corners....stops faster. I almost always downshift to a usable RPM range since you never know when you might need torque to accelerate away from something...Mustangs or whatever, plus, I like the decel pop as well. That's my opinion.

AdamZ · 07-03-2012, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

Engine braking doesn't use any more fuel than being in neutral. When your foot is off the throttle, the throttle body is shut and only idle level fuel is consumed. However, most people who downshift, blip the throttle between the gears and that does use more fuel. It wouldn't be smart to downshift without blipping the throttle to match engine RPM to transmission speed either since simply letting the clutch out will certainly put strain on the transmission and wear on the clutch. In an urgent stopping situation, downshifting should reduce brake distances. Watch any road race and you will always hear them downshift long before corners....stops faster. I almost always downshift to a usable RPM range since you never know when you might need torque to accelerate away from something...Mustangs or whatever, plus, I like the decel pop as well. That's my opinion.

That pretty much does it

meissen · 07-03-2012, 06:43 AM

I've only had my v6 m6 since December, but I've always understood engine braking to be better. I still end up having to use the brakes, but not as much.

SlingShot · 07-03-2012, 06:56 AM

Downshift always ... Don't really know of any other way.

07-03-2012, 01:42 AM	#21
JohnnyBfromPeoria Drives: 2012 LS M6, Black Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,045	Brakes are cheaper and easier to replace than a clutch. John B. __________________ 12 LS M6, IPF S/C, ASA GT-5 wheels, VMax PTB 1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 1987 Dodge Raider Turbo Project 1986 Mitsubishi Montero 2.4l FI Transplant

07-03-2012, 05:13 AM	#24
E.T. Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 3,267	When driving in tapmode (L99) I'll usually downshift a little earlier than the computer normally would, say around 2000 RPMs, but I also brake, too. __________________

07-03-2012, 05:36 AM	#25
ParisTNDude Owning SSes for 50 Years Drives: Sharkskin Grey LT1 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,139 View My Garage	Engine braking doesn't use any more fuel than being in neutral. When your foot is off the throttle, the throttle body is shut and only idle level fuel is consumed. However, most people who downshift, blip the throttle between the gears and that does use more fuel. It wouldn't be smart to downshift without blipping the throttle to match engine RPM to transmission speed either since simply letting the clutch out will certainly put strain on the transmission and wear on the clutch. In an urgent stopping situation, downshifting should reduce brake distances. Watch any road race and you will always hear them downshift long before corners....stops faster. I almost always downshift to a usable RPM range since you never know when you might need torque to accelerate away from something...Mustangs or whatever, plus, I like the decel pop as well. That's my opinion. __________________ The new ride: 2023 Camaro, LT1, Sharkskin Grey Previous Performance Cars: 1966 Chevelle SS 4M, 2010 Corvette 6M 1968 Dodge Charger R/T Auto 2012 1SS 6M 1982 Corvette Auto 2010 1SS 6A 1984 Corvette Auto 2016 2SS 8A 1999 Camaro Auto 2017 HBM 1SS 1le 2002 C5 Corvette 6M 2018 2SS 2006 Corvette Auto 2023 Camaro LT1

07-03-2012, 06:43 AM	#27
meissen Founder - Michigan FBody Drives: 1994 Camaro LT1, 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Haven, MI Posts: 2,599	I've only had my v6 m6 since December, but I've always understood engine braking to be better. I still end up having to use the brakes, but not as much. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS L99 - *"Zooma"* 1994 Camaro LT1 A4 - *"Red Alert"* - v6-to-LT1 Swapped Cruiser; Cammed, Stalled, Enjoyed "Gone But Not Forgotten" 2016 Camaro 1LT A8 - "Elmo" 2014 Camaro 1LT M6 - "Cherry Bomb" 2012 Camaro 1LS M6 - "Clifford" Michigan FBody Association http://www.mifbody.com/

07-03-2012, 06:56 AM	#28
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	Downshift always ... Don't really know of any other way. __________________

07-03-2012, 01:32 AM	#16
Nessal Drives: Exige, Miata, Ghia Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CA, Bay Area Posts: 2,309	By the way, I don't like to be in neutral when coming to a stop incase I need the power instantaneously for any emergency maneuvers.

07-03-2012, 01:33 AM	#17
'70 RS Drives: '69,'70,'10 camaro Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Waverly,NE Posts: 196 View My Garage	engine braking

07-03-2012, 01:39 AM	#19
MikeSVX The magic smoke genie.... Drives: Jewels (2010 RJT 1SS) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 2,294	I down shift. I like to listen to the popping the engine makes when it's revving down.