should I be engine breaking?

[mrmule]

whats the general consensus on engine breaking? should I be doing it? i suppose thats why they have paddles to shift down, but i also know it is straining the box.

yes or no?

[stc1973]

I'd say no...new disks and pads are cheaper than a new box

[Daveperc]

consensus on engine breaking

Engine "breaking" = very expensive!!!! Engine "braking" perhaps????

I only use the engine for braking on long descents, like on my trip through the Alps last year, where the heat soak on brakes would be high. Ohterwise I just rely on the anchors!

Dave

[500bhp]

Totally agree.
Pads and discs are much cheaper than gearbox and engine.

Another point is that when approaching a roundabout and changing down in my old twin turbo TVR to engine break, letting the clutch out would lock the back wheels and you would be into a spin. Many lost it that way on first drives out from the dealer! Only put the power down in the gear that you select to accelerate.

[mattler]

I think the paddles react too slowly to be effective for engine breaking even if it were suitable.
Also it effects the car`s balance at the point of turn in if you get it wrong. "brakes" braking is better by far IMHO
Matty

[GregR1]

Totally agree.
Pads and discs are much cheaper than gearbox and engine.

Another point is that when approaching a roundabout and changing down in my old twin turbo TVR to engine break, letting the clutch out would lock the back wheels and you would be into a spin. Many lost it that way on first drives out from the dealer! Only put the power down in the gear that you select to accelerate.

Engine brake, then heel toe when you need the next gear (in a manual) that's how you prevent the locking of wheels as you're 'rev-matching' the new cog.

Probably teaching my granny to suck eggs here

[mattler]

Not too many manual RS6`s kicking around though me thinks!

[RS6-4dr911]

I may need to change my habits as I enjoy downshifting. However I usually blip the throttle immediately after I hit the paddle and it rev matches quite nicely.

(my wife's '06 Toureg matches rev's automatically)