Engine break is bad for transmission?

[jamesq]

Engine brake is bad for transmission?

I checked manual for engine brake, but I didn't find any info about this. When you go downhill, will you use engine brake to slow down? I checked other forum, there is some threads indicating that engine brake is bad for tranny and brake pad is a lot cheaper to replace. Any thoughts?

 

[bergs]

Engine break is really bad

Engine brake is not so bad




EDIT: Engine braking will always happen, to some extent, every time you lift off the gas. Gear selection and/ or engine speed will determine how much slowing force will be created during engine braking.

 

[jamesq]

Engine break is really bad

Engine brake is not so bad




EDIT: Engine braking will always happen, to some extent, every time you lift off the gas. Gear selection and/ or engine speed will determine how much slowing force will be created during engine braking.

You found the little secret..:toilet:
I mean this kind:when you go downhill, you downshift and rpm go to 5000 or more.

 

[Jeremy556]

Engine braking is not bad for anything, and neccessary in mountains.

T4r won't let you do wyat can cause damage- shifting a manual into too low of a gear and spinning the engine past red line.

 

[1engineer]

I checked manual for engine brake, but I didn't find any info about this. When you go downhill, will you use engine brake to slow down? I checked other forum, there is some threads indicating that engine brake is bad for tranny and brake pad is a lot cheaper to replace. Any thoughts?

No. Grade logic IS NOT bad for your engine. There is no such thing as an "engine brake" on our 4Runners. A diesel can have an engine brake or "Jacobs" brake that uses exhaust gases to r e t a r d the engine which acts as a brake for slowing a truck down. Ours simply downshifts the transmission at a certain speed when going down a hill. It has a speed range that this happens though. From my observation above 50 mph or below about 25 mph grade logic is not applicable. I live in the mountains and it works every day during my travels. How can you harm the engine by increasing the rpm?

 

[jamesq]

Engine braking is not bad for anything, and neccessary in mountains.

T4r won't let you do wyat can cause damage- shifting a manual into too low of a gear and spinning the engine past red line.

I know it won't damage anything, but does it accelerate wearing something in tranny which is more expensive and more difficult to replace than brake pad?

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I have driven all over the western US in the mountains for 10 years in my 03. I downshift a lot in the mountains and also while of roading. My transmission still shifts like it is brand new. I just select a gear that maintains my speed, sometimes 4th, 3rd or even 2nd on steep mountains. I have done the drain and refill of the fluild 4 times though. I do the same thing in my 2011 Avalon. Around town in Arizona in the hills I just leave it out of overdrive so it does not constantly shift back and forth.

 

[oldboy]

I have been doing the same downshifting in the mountain thing in my 04 ever since I got it w no problems. I'm at 87K and just changed trans fluid for the 2nd time since I tow a bit.

 

[bergs]

I know it won't damage anything, but does it accelerate wearing something in tranny which is more expensive and more difficult to replace than brake pad?

That question is along the lines of asking whether or not you should get in and out of the vehicle from the passenger doors so the driver's door doesn't wear out.

Keep your fluids serviced as that alone greatly reduces failures.


The only time(s) you may encounter issues are if you manage to over-rev the engine or crunch the gears....neither of which will happen with a computer-controlled automatic gearbox such as the one in your 4Runner.

 

[jamesq]

I found this on manual page 309

"Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
●Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills. Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result
in reduced braking efficiency."

 

[jamesq]

Also found this on page 163

"Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (→P. 180)"

So the right procedure is downshift first before going down?

 

[Greg_Canada]

I always engine brake... comes from my years of driving a manual.

Nothing wrong with it, and as the manual says, it's suggested.
It also turns off the fuel injectors so you use less fuel, YAY.

 

[DeathCougar]

How can you harm the engine by increasing the rpm?

Put your 4Runner in first gear while going down a hill doing 60. Report back the the results.

 

[DeathCougar]

It also turns off the fuel injectors so you use less fuel, YAY.

Um....what? Where did you hear that bit of "info"?

 

[Antman]

Put your 4Runner in first gear while going down a hill doing 60. Report back the the results.

The tranny won't shift into 1st because it's smart, unlike your last couple of posts.:nono:

 

[DeathCougar]

The tranny won't shift into 1st because it's smart, unlike your last couple of posts.:nono:

Clearly I was talking about a manual transmission. :bash: And besides that, you CAN force an auto into first, by DOWNSHIFTING IT. Which is what we are talking about. And please note my post was heavily sarcastic. Obviously down shifting one gear isn't going to hurt an engine.

And again, show me where coasting or downshifting turns off the injectors in any vehicle?

Calm down, don't be an ITG, and realize not everything posted on the internet is literal

 

[Antman]

Clearly I was talking about a manual transmission. :bash: And besides that, you CAN force an auto into first, by DOWNSHIFTING IT. Which is what we are talking about.

And again, show me where coasting or downshifting turns off the injectors in any vehicle?

We are not talking about a manual transmission. We are talking about the transmission in the 5th Gen T4R which will not let you shift into first at 60 mph. You cannot force it, you cannot do it. Period.

Many modern vehicles turn off their injectors when coasting to save fuel. My Titan did this, and according to my Scanguage so does my 5th Gen. While coasting the instant fuel mileage shows 99999. According to the Scanguage manual this indicates just that. Am I 100% sure? Nope.

 

[JB.]

I checked other forum, there is some threads indicating that engine brake is bad for tranny and brake pad is a lot cheaper to replace. Any thoughts?

The overriding fact that should put your mind at ease is that this transmission has a significant track record of longevity and reliability. No need for any special treatment.

 

[DeathCougar]

We are not talking about a manual transmission. We are talking about the transmission in the 5th Gen T4R which will not let you shift into first at 60 mph. You cannot force it, you cannot do it. Period.

Many modern vehicles turn off their injectors when coasting to save fuel. My Titan did this, and according to my Scanguage so does my 5th Gen. While coasting the instant fuel mileage shows 99999. According to the Scanguage manual this indicates just that. Am I 100% sure? Nope.

Hrm......well, lots of conflicting information out there on the Dub dub dub. However, I am seeing many people confirming SOME modern engines do infact shut the injectors down; provided the engine is above 1200 and the throttle detects ZERO input. Transmission appears to lock the converter, and keep the engine spinning until such a time as the throttle receives input, you go below 1200 rpm, or you shift into neutral.

Learn something new every day I suppose. :moon:

 

[bergs]

Many modern vehicles turn off their injectors when coasting to save fuel.

Agreed.

Some vehicles instantly shut down the injectors when throttle input is zero while others have a sort of "dwell time" before shutting the injectors off.