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 ?

 

well, i normally try to revmatch appropriately.

 

I don't think its super harmful, I just don't care to do it in case it could do some progressive damage 100,000 miles down the road!

 

Brake wear is better than engine or drive-train wear.

 

Don't need to downshift/revmatch unless you're trying to be a hotshot, or you're going for that best-lap at the local road course like me

Use your pads - they're much easier to replace. Don't get me wrong, I'm trying to learn how to heel-toe smoothly, so there are days we're I downshift/revmatch everywhere... at every signal. Yeah it turns heads, but I'm doing it for the benefit of shaving precious pieces of seconds when downshift at willow springs!