How to slow down - brakes or down change gears?

Barneysmom

True true Pew pew

There are 2 different species of driver IMO.
You've got the roundtown driver, people like my mom who only do 2 thousand miles a year.
Then there's the pro drivers like me who might do 40,000 miles or more a year.
Each will have developed their own driving style.

My mom would drive in the slow lane of the M6 doing 45mph doing everyone's head in, or going to where she's going the best way she can, without ever turning right. (It's true, she doesn't turn right because she doesn't like pulling out into traffic )
She'll go through the entire box whether she needs to or not..............:)

While I'd be a middle and fast lane user as I want to get to work today, not the end of the week. I haven't got time to faf and will use brakes to stop or maybe slow right down and flick it into second ready to pull away as soon as chance allows.
I had a set of brakes in my last car, a Focus,lasted 96,000 miles.

alastairq

speed adjustment can be a combination of braking, and over-run, ie off the gas pedal.

As any braking is completed,ie one is going slow enough to suit, then the appropriate gear is acquired.

Many keep acquiring a gear which maintains higher revs simply because they want to welly away from the problem.

Let them.

Watch how an auto box manages the engine revs by appropriate gear selection...most I know of try to keep engine revs low on over-run.

[High engine revs on over-run also serves to draw crankcase fumes out...excessively...oil along with it.]

Old brakes didn't fade any easier than modern one's..its down to lining materials these days...brake fade occurs after prolongued, excessive use...

For my part, if ever I find I have to use my brakes hard, I don't blame the road user that initiated my hard braking...I kick myself for failing to take note of the signs and messages that meant I had to brake hard.

One's speed must always be within one's ability to cope.

Most just hope they can cope.

Inactive

derrick wrote: »

The reason that learners are taught up and down through the gears, is to show the examiner that they can use the gears both ways.

Not true, they are taught like that by bad driving instructors, the DSA ( Driving Standards Agency ) preferred method is no different to that described as being correct by the IAM, ie; gears for going, brakes for stopping.

Go to Cardington on an open day to verify if you wish.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I have just changed to a manual from an auto after 8 years. So am interested in this argument. I was taught 20 years ago to brake through the gears. Though now after an auto I am finding it a real pain, too much to do.
My worry with the brakes only argument is that I will probably forget to put it in any gear and end up stalled at a junction or roundabout.

Batchy

In an emergency on a bike... ur trained not to change gears as it can cause the rear wheel to lock up!

In a car, same both hands on the wheel.

For anything else just make sure your in the right gear for the speed ur going.

In a diesel this is more important... in 6th can labour at below 60mph or lack of power anyway due to being off the turbo power band say between 1800rpm, and 4000rpm

in my civic type r 6 speed... it can still pull at 30mph in 6th... powerband from 1300 rpm upto over 8000rpm much more flexibility.

Just depends on the car... I can comfortably go round islands in 4th... as the gearing is so low in all the gears, due to red line at over 8000rpm

if you have an underpowered car, you have to work the gear box more to be in the rght gear at the right time, especially when overtaking or pulling out onto islands.

movilogo

When I'm moving at fairly high speed in 4-5 gears, I always gently place the brake to slow down (without touching gear stick). If speed becomes too low (~30 mph), I downshift to 3rd (or 2nd if ~20 mph) - so I'm still in control and prepared to stop fully if situation arises.

Don't understand why people will do it otherwise. If you downshift at higher speed, engine RPM shoots up and car becomes less controlable. It also puts strain on drivetrain.

flang

I always slow down using my gears and brakes.
My car has 170k on the clock and is still on the same clutch....... Poor clutch control and holding the vehicle on the clutch at hills is far worse!!
You do not have full control of your vehicle by only using the brakes!!!

movilogo

You do not have full control of your vehicle by only using the brakes!!!

So, those who drive automatics don't have control over their cars then? ::p

bryanb

movilogo wrote: »

So, those who drive automatics don't have control over their cars then? ::p

Not so, the gears change automatically.

negg

... but automatics don't change down until they really need to at very low revs - they do not use engine braking to help stop the car.