Brake usage on cars with auto vs manual transmission

[Black]

DRR wrote:
[quote=Black]
You are not going to find many Americans who understand the benefit of downshifting. It's almost universally considered abuse of the vehicle here.

There are many benefits from a driveability standpoint, but it also has costs from a fuel consumption and wear standpoint. You just have to fully understand the tradeoffs. For most daily drivers it's not worth it. But hey if it makes you happy it's your car.
I learned to downshift early on in Germany, never wore out a clutch. The only time I ever did was on my 79 civic Wagon here. Cost the price of a new clutch and a few gaskets to replace.
Not knowing how to use a clutch properly is many times worse for it than downshifting IMO.
The argument that it puts stress on all these other things is silly-- why would you only want to stress your engine mounts in one direction all the time?

[Black]

Er..... fuel consumption? Can you say more about that?

[space-time]

but it also has costs from a fuel consumption and wear standpoint.

I think there is no fuel consumption when downshifting. I don't have a fuel gauge on my car, but when I rent a newer manual car or when I drive my Dad's car. the fuel consumtion goes to 0.0 (0 L per 100 Km) when downshifting.

[OWC Jamie]

lost in space wrote:
I have never seen or heard of a standard transmission in a minivan since they went to front-wheel drive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Carav...nsmissions

4cyl/5 speed, even rarer was a panel van version with no rear windows, at least in 1984

[OWC Jamie]

Black wrote:
You are not going to find many Americans who understand the benefit of downshifting. It's almost universally considered abuse of the vehicle here.

shifting without the clutch isn't used much either but it sure can be fun to do

[Black]

billb wrote:
[quote=Black]
You are not going to find many Americans who understand the benefit of downshifting. It's almost universally considered abuse of the vehicle here.

shifting without the clutch isn't used much either but it sure can be fun to do
Fun if you know you're planning to junk the car soon anyways....

[Speedy]

billb wrote: shifting without the clutch isn't used much either but it sure can be fun to do

Routine in big trucks except when in the lowest couple of gears.

[Black]

Speedy wrote:
[quote=billb]shifting without the clutch isn't used much either but it sure can be fun to do

Routine in big trucks except when in the lowest couple of gears.
Why/ what's the benefit?

[OWC Jamie]

Speedy wrote:
[quote=billb]shifting without the clutch isn't used much either but it sure can be fun to do

Routine in big trucks except when in the lowest couple of gears. That's where I learned, although I never had anything more than a D/M license.

[OWC Jamie]

Black wrote:
[quote=Speedy]
[quote=billb]shifting without the clutch isn't used much either but it sure can be fun to do

Routine in big trucks except when in the lowest couple of gears.
Why/ what's the benefit? left leg wear and tear