RE: Downshifting for Normal Driving

[Peter Henriksen <peterhe@microsoft.com>]

Somebody else put it succinctly on some mailing list (Corrado?) a couple
of years back:

 "It's a lot cheaper to put new pads and even rotors on your car than it
is to replace the clutch."

In other words, use the brakes to stop the car as intended and the
clutch and shifter to change gears.

I'm not saying I don't use the clutch to slow down, but it's almost
exclusively when I need to carry some speed through a corner or when the
light is almost green (i.e., I don't want to stop).
- peter
  peterhe@microsoft.com - http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/1001
  91 200qw
  94 acura legend gs
  issaquah, wa, usa


>-----Original Message-----
>From:	George S Achorn III [SMTP:coolidge@nicom.com]
>Sent:	Thursday, February 06, 1997 11:05 AM
>To:	CCA; Audi
>Subject:	Downshifting for Normal Driving
>
>	I was reading a tech question in the back of the new Road & Track (Boxster
>vs. SLK vs. Z3 2.8 Cover) and noticed a letter on downshifting. The
>question was basically about the use of downshifting as braking into
>corners etc. R&T recomended not to use downshifting as a form of breaking.
>They sighted that while racers do do it, they also frequently rebuild their
>engines and transmissions. 
>	I wondered what you all think. I know R&T is liable for their advice, so
>they won't give out advice against a manufacturer's requests, but how true
>is this. I downshift about 98% of the time as I roll up to a redlight or
>stopsign. Alot of the time it is to be in the proper gear, but I usually
>let the clutch out to help slow myself. I know this is still a good
>practice in the rain or snow, but what of regular conditions?
>	Later-G