I would have thought that this was the obvious and correct answer. There is no need for engine braking in non-performance situations.


...but he's talking about the *transmission*, not the clutch.

 

yea clutch would be part of the transmission and most likely the first thing to go...

996 C2 Pads, Rotors & Sensors - $800 USD

996 C2 Clutch Kit - $500 USD

Labour cost is about the same for both jobs....

 

Sure, I guess, but that's not the only thing to go when one stresses the motor due to engine braking.

 

trust me clutch would be the first to go, i have been there... still have orginal Brakes 90000km on the car second clutch...

 

I believe you; I'm just saying that there are other things besides the clutch at risk if there is overt use of engine braking.

 

Umm I think clutch job would have cost more. Most people can DIY on a brake job but not on a new clutch.

 

Everyone I've taught I preach that it's always safest to be in gear whenever possible.. I RARELY cruise in neutral to a stop. Just in case you spot someone about to rear-end you or if you need to make an emergency manoeuvre. Only time I'll cruise in neutral is on approach to a long highway offramp with no one around.. I'll carry enough speed to cruise towards the stoplight in the interests of saving a bit of gas and revmatch back in gear once I know whether it's green or red. Depending on the car, I'll brake into 2nd or 3rd gear (never 1st unless in a parking lot or stop sign - even with a proper rev match you can feel the crunch of the syncros hard at work)

I also try to make it a rule to never shift into first or reverse directly from another gear. I.e. I'll slip to neutral, clutch out and back in quickly before slipping into 1st. You can definitely feel that it's a lot easier on the tranny. (Technically this is double-clutching but I try to avoid that term ever since Fast and the Furious..)

Funny thing is I actually downshift smoother than I upshift so I enjoy doing it. I guess my extra wide feet aren't good for nothing.. Makes heel/toe (or more like, the side-to-side pivot for me) easier though it gets cramped in the footwells of some cars

 

From what I understand it is unacceptable to clutch in and glide to a stop.

The first reason is that your engine will be at idle and a hard press on the brake can potentially stall your car.

The second reason is that you will be unprepared to avoid an accident if are required to return to throttle and swerve to avoid and idiot from rear-ending you. The extra 0.5 of a second it cost to get back into gear will be too late.

AL