I have always used downshifting for slowing down, try not to be too hard on the car though.

Yesterday coming off the interstate downshifting thru gears I was a little more aggressive than usual and hit around 4200 or maybe a bit more on the third to second gear shift.

Got to thinking about it and wondering is that harmful to the motor or rest of driveline. I know in theory it surely would be, but in reality how bad is it really ?

I know the netural rev limiter is set low to keep neutral RPMs from being too high when motor is not under load. Is the high RPM downshifting the same as not being under load ?

How high do RPMS hit for the rest of you guys with manual tranny's when downshifting ?