PonyUp

So, my 05' V6's break pedal started to feel "soft" so I dropped of the car to the dealer. After an full check, they told me the breaks were fine, no leaks, 8mm on the pads, nothing to indicate ANY problems. The car is at 40K miles and the guy said my breaks go EASILY last another 40K. Perplexed, I asked him if the new snow tires could make the breaks feel soft...Bingo. He said that the thick tread on snow tires can make the breaks react differently. So after all that, he said whatever I am doing in my car, keep it up. Here is the moral of my story...I told him that I always downshift to 3rd (its anautomatic) or shut off the overdirve when approching a stoplight, or slowing down. He said thats a very good thing, a great way to save your breaks....try it!

smythge

Great information, double check on the down shifting, not sure that is the best thing for the transmission, or motor for that matter. Common mistake, but they're brakes not breaks.

nonstopred

...Its not a manual i dont know if that shifting is good..the car will downshift by itself.

Are you on the original brakes with 40k ?

my brother has like 18 and had to replace his

PonyUp

yes, they are oringinal "brakes" HAHA DUH!!!!!! They told me downshifting was ok as long as you dont "drop" it into like second or something going really fast...the mechanic even road tested the thing...they were impressed....the coolest thing though about downshifting is that it makes the MRT exhaust sound COOL!!

MrSandman

Brakes are cheaper to fix than a transmission. Thanks for the tip though.

petepete

On older cars i know that shifting in an dout of overdrive was bad. Dunno if thats still true

birdoffire7

Our owner's manuals actually list turning OD off for engine braking. Believe it or not, I was bored during a lunch break and actually read the manual. I still don't prefer it because it causes the engine to rev higher, which in turn should result in higher gas consumption. My two cents.

beaustang

Unless they're broken!

ricklmesa@cox.net

I down shift all day long in my manual.I did it in my old 85 camaro too. Never had any tranny problems.

nonstopred

..obviously you do it in the manual lol .. We dont think autos are meant for it (this conversation)