rls82959

IMO, clicking the OD button is probably OK to help if you need to brake a littleharder.
I would never shift to "3" though. Leave it in "D".

celenztah

I like the engine braking when turning off OD. When I am driving at highway speeds, I have OD on for lower rev / fuel economy.When I exit and allow my car to slow without braking, I'll turn off OD at or around 40-45mph and I get an added engine brake slow down without touching the brakes.

It's my understanding that the computer simply won't let the car downshift (or upshift)anyway unless/until the rpms are at a safe level for it.

I would not feel comfortable manually shifting down into 3rd though, but I do believe that proper use of turning off OD when not driving at highway speeds (around 50mph and above) and allowing for engine braking to engage by taking the foot off the pedal far enough in advance of needing to be stopped or slowed.... is in fact a great way to extend brake life with minimal (possibly none?) harm to the trans or engine.

But I'm not a technician, so I couldn't say for a total, reliable, bet your car on it fact. [8D]