Is it healthy for an automatic to?????????

[Bellow]

It is in your opinion "bad driving". That's just a little arrogant. By all means discuss the various methods we all use, but don't accuse others of bad driving because you do it a different way.

I have always used engine braking and brakes...why not? Engine braking does not have to be violent, but by matching engine speed and then easing off you will get the effect you want without undue wear to the trans.. I presume you use kick down? Now, that is a violent and stressful action on the gearbox, and a very satisfying thing. On the other hand you can use the tip. (sic) function to drop a gear or two for the same reason, just as in engine braking...what's the difference?

You use a combination of brakes and engine braking. OP question related to engine braking only.

Forces cause wear. Why subject the transmission and engine to them when a dedicated easily renewable system is provided?

Kickdown - braking is the topic of this thread.

Would you pass any driving test focusing your braking on the engine? Could you convince a judge that you had done everything you could have to ensure safety while confessing to applying braking to the rear wheels only?

It is not arrogant to have a view on what constitutes good or bad driving. You too have a view. It is the threshold at which you will not permit a person to drive a car you own.

 

[renault12ts]

So...it's ok on a front wheel drive car?

 

[Bellow]

Is a C43 AMG FWD?

 

[renault12ts]

No, but the question is a valid follow on from your point.

 

[Bellow]

It would be safer than on a RWD. But you now introduce torque steer effects that wouldn't be present if the brakes were being used.
Perhaps this can be better resolved by stating one tangible benefit that engine braking brings to driving. Because I certainly can't see any.

 

[renault12ts]

In which case we agree to disagree and everyone stays friendly.

 

[Bellow]

Time to take a break?!!
We all drive differently I guess. And have different opinions. But always, the aim is to stay friendly. G'night buddy.

 

[Lockking]

Left foot braking with a blip on the downshift! Super smooth. Turbo primed and boosting before the brakes are fully released for corner exit.

We don't hop on one leg when walking. Why not use both feet when driving an auto or AMT?

Always have done

 

[noogieman]

I've heard 2 stories; one that transmission fluid leaks past the seal into the ECU housing and you find yourself in 2nd at 90mph, another that the AMG software is somehow not all that good.

I'm just some guy on the internet though, would be keen to hear anything concrete from someone who Knows

last year my c43 suffered from oil leak from the outer plastic plug on the right side of the gearbox, it was replaced!
I guess this plug is screwed on the conductor plate which I had to replace previous year, my stupid mechanic didn't replace the plug at the same time when replacing the conductor plate!

However, I had a leak from the transmission while my car was in hybernate during winter and it started to leak, drip by drip!
I had to drive my car slowly not to risk anything, it went well when I arrived at the garage.
My mechanic replaced the crappy part and everything was ok.
He said this part was a problem until 2001?
And then was updated by MB?

Well I hope my transmission never fuuuks up and it will stay healthy!
Knock on woods.

 

[x332race]

The original reasons for using the engine to slow the vehicle down was that back then brakes were so poor that they needed assistance to slow the vehicle, particularly on hills......with modern brake systems, this need has passed, hence the change in driving instruction not to use engine braking....

That said, engine braking is good on steep hills, when towing etc....

When I had manual cars, I always when down through the gears coming up to a junction, corner etc, mainly to endure that I was in the correct gear ready to accelerate away as soon as possible...also if you are braking in a high gear, there comes a time when you either have to dip the clutch to disengage the engine or change gear......haveing the car in a gear must give you more control ultimately.

Now I have an auto, I generally just drive it not worrying what gear I am in....I have used engine braking but only going down steep hills in poor conditions and when towing.

 

[TheStid]

Just an aside on this one...when stopped at a set of lights, and the hand brake (for want of a better description) applied (i.e not sitting with foot on the brake pedal or invoking "HOLD"), is it best to leave it gear or to put in neutral/park?

 

[Sorry Pete]

Just an aside on this one...when stopped at a set of lights, and the hand brake (for want of a better description) applied (i.e not sitting with foot on the brake pedal or invoking "HOLD"), is it best to leave it gear or to put in neutral/park?

I wondered about this and it seems that the consensus is that shifting out of drive - to neutral or park, causes more wear than simply leaving it in drive with the parking/hand brake applied. If I'm not going to be moving for more than 3 mins, I'll shift to P, and/or turn off.

 

[x332race]

Just an aside on this one...when stopped at a set of lights, and the hand brake (for want of a better description) applied (i.e not sitting with foot on the brake pedal or invoking "HOLD"), is it best to leave it gear or to put in neutral/park?

Sorry, but I really don't think you should be in drive and relying on just the "handbrake" to hold you.....I think the safe thing to do is either be in Drive with foot brake on or in neutral with handbrake on.

 

[noogieman]

I always put the stick in neutral when standing still at the red light (district)!
(You funny guy Sully, that's why I'm gonna kill ya last!)

When I'm standing still with my car, I always put it in N or P!
But on red lights always in Neutral.
I don't think it's any good for the transmission to have the trans in D when waiting long time for green light!
Applaying footbrake will eat the rotors and pads when standing still in D.
At least that's what I imagine.

It must be healthier when the trans is in N, because there is no pulling.

Another thing a friend of mine whom used to work for MB told me to never use D when citydriving, gearbox oil gets warmer?
He told me to drive in 4th.
Is this true?

In the morning when my car is cold I turn on ignition, I always put it in N before I start my car!
Is this good or bad?
I red somewhere on internet that it's not good to have the stick in P?
I DON'T GET IT?

P is just a brake.
N is just free without the lock.

 

[Bellow]

You should put it in neutral when stopped. Otherwise you are churning up the oil in the torque converter and squandering fuel. Probably not relevant on this forum but on some earlier ZF boxes (HP22 BMWs and Range Rover) it causes damage to a very expensive to replace freewheel.
Park is neutral with a pawl to lock everything up. Start in P or N. No harm will come to the brakes with car stationery.

 

[steve333]

When i bought my first auto i was told by the dealer to always leave the car in drive when at lights etc & have done so ever since without any problems

 

[DRBC43AMG]

Neutral position

I try to put it in neutral should i know the traffic light to last a certain time, or in traffic jams, etc. Just have to be careful when putting it back in D not to accelerate at the same time in order to avoid putting too much grunt in the box. My 2 cents worth

 

[jefrs]

The main reason for changing down on a hill was always that applying the brakes locks up the steering making a skid more likely. Not because the brakes would overheat and fade (always good for a laugh that, look mum - no brakes!)

I've noticed that the S210 does apply a lot more engine braking than the old Volvo (Aisan-Warner hydraulic slush-box), and that it will change down automatically too if the occasion demands it. I no longer need to haul back on the stick. I imagine that the newer boxes are even more intelligent.