[4wheeldog]

I use 'em for going down grades. Not so much for general stopping. Brake pads have got to be cheaper than the wear items inside the trannie. Plus, you can just lift off the gas sooner, save gas, as well as brake pads. But that is just me.......

 

[4wheeldog]

I'd like to see some of the researchers tackle CVTs as well. These are built to shift a bit more often than your normal geared transmission, lack a clutch in many cases, and in general wear differently than a geared transmission. While I agree that any shift will provide wear, I don't think we can blindly apply geared transmission logic to belted/disc transmissions.

For example: I can't tell someone to not do this because it will burn out the clutch, since in the case of the Subaru CVT, it uses a torque convertor which is going to see the same wear regardless of what the transmission is doing (in the general case, anyways).

All transmissions are designed to deliver power in one direction.......Slowing the vehicle is a secondary provision. With the CVT, it may not make a lot of difference which way the strain is going. But it very well could be that it is much more rugged in the power on direction.

Also, torque convertors are directional as well. Many auto trannie failures actually start as torque convertor failures. (When bits start to break loose, they go all through the transmission. In general, any major work on a trannie includes a torque convertor replacement.) Driving the motor with the car is not what they are designed to do. Just sayin'.

Again, brake pads are relatively cheap, and easily replaced. If you want to save your brakes, plan ahead, just take your foot off the gas sooner. Try it. You will be suprized how little you will need your brakes.

I did not put brake pads/shoes on my 4runner until it had 180k on it. Manual trannie, but I don't downshift it to slow, either.

 

[4wheeldog]

Why? Because engine braking ADDS to the power of the hydraulic braking system, but does NOT pose a lockup risk.

LOL at all the people who think engine braking is bad for the engine. Do you all shift into neutral before letting your foot off the gas?

Not the engine that I would think would suffer the most.......Transmissions in general wear from increased friction and heat/pressure on the parts (including the clutch, in a manual trans vehicle.) If you are shifting for the purpose of stopping faster, well, I hope you are not behind me. Just sayin'.

 

[4wheeldog]

Subaru got back to me via email from my question through the website;

Thanks for your patience as I researched engine braking in your 2013 Outback with CVT. I sent it to two separate Technical representatives. They both replied with similar feedback.

It is only recommended in situations where the engine braking would be needed, such as “when descending a grade." Normally, a driver would have no need to engine brake when just coming to a stop at a light or stop sign. Since the transmission is not designed to handle this, it would accelerate wear on the CVT.

I think that's enough for me to not make a habit of it. Thanks for all the input - good forum!

****. I could have said that. In fact, I did say that. My wife tells me I was right once before, too.