Does Downshifting Lead To Excessive Transmission Wear??
#1
Does Downshifting Lead To Excessive Transmission Wear??
Ever since I have upgraded the exhaust on my XFR (ZF 6 speed transmission), I almost always drive it in sport mode using the paddles. It sounds fantastic! When coming to a stop/ red light, I normally downshift through the gears as I slow down, going all the way down to 2nd gear sometimes 1st gear. However, I started thinking about it and tried looking it up online (could not find any information about it); Does downshifting coming to a stop while braking cause excessive wear of the transmission? Should I only downshift while my foot is still on the gas or does downshifting of any kind put more strain/ wear and tear on the transmission? (I normally downshift slowing down at around 2,200 rpm sometimes higher, sometimes lower not sure if that matters or not) I love the way it sounds, but I don't want to beat on my transmission....
#2
#3
It is fun. You aren't doing any appreciable damage if you are downshifting and over-revving by a few thousand RPM's. I personally believe that it puts stress on the engine and all you are really doing is putting it through more revolutions. I personally don;t do it too often particularly because I have damaged the lifters on my XType dowshifting using the J gate (miss that car ). But that was when I was too dumb to care that I was screwing up the car and dowshifting into 3rd while going about 65 or 70. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I also love the sounds of my exhaust and sometimes do downshift when pulling up to a light. Makes for some nice stares from other vehicles...hehehe
Last edited by Cherry_560sel; 09-20-2017 at 02:12 AM.
#4
As long as it's an occasional thing, and you're not over revving the engine It's not that big of a deal. But its was not designed to be paddle shifted transmission on a continuing basis, because now your using the engine and transmission to do what your brakes were designed to do, dissipate the energy of motion into heat. If you're going to use the car continually in the paddle shift sport mode, understand your maint schedule (severe service) for the engine, supercharger and trans needs to change too.
#5
As long as it's an occasional thing, and you're not over revving the engine It's not that big of a deal. But its was not designed to be paddle shifted transmission on a continuing basis, because now your using the engine and transmission to do what your brakes were designed to do, dissipate the energy of motion into heat. If you're going to use the car continually in the paddle shift sport mode, understand your maint schedule (severe service) for the engine, supercharger and trans needs to change too.
#6
Also I noticed if I have the car in dynamic mode and sport mode (but not using the paddles, still automatic) the car will automatically downshift between 3,000-4,000 rpm while braking. It's the same thing as if I was using the paddles except the car will do it automatically. In this case, how is it any different if I was to do it myself instead of the car automatically doing it? If the car is already programmed to do it, how would using the paddles put more strain on the car?
#7
Also I noticed if I have the car in dynamic mode and sport mode (but not using the paddles, still automatic) the car will automatically downshift between 3,000-4,000 rpm while braking. It's the same thing as if I was using the paddles except the car will do it automatically. In this case, how is it any different if I was to do it myself instead of the car automatically doing it? If the car is already programmed to do it, how would using the paddles put more strain on the car?
Kinda like the maintenance schedule on a police car/NYC taxicab will be much more intense than the guy who drives a Camry back and forth to work (with the assumption it isn't in stop and go traffic both ways).
Last edited by 2010 Kyanite XFR; 09-20-2017 at 11:20 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
I used to drive cars with manual gearbox and hence habitually downshift to keep the engine speed while cornering or before coming to a full stop. I too habitually put it in neutral before rolling to the stop lights. Expensive lesson as such driving habit on an auto would subject the engine, the gearbox and the engine mounts as well (two in front and the third one in Jaguar is usually called the transmission mount), as they would absorb all the pressure, stress, vibrations and heat.
The mechanic will normally advise you to use the brakes rather than the engine and gearbox to slow down the car - XFR have very powerful brakes. Higher grade brake fluid, brake pads and rotors are friendly consumables.
The mechanic will normally advise you to use the brakes rather than the engine and gearbox to slow down the car - XFR have very powerful brakes. Higher grade brake fluid, brake pads and rotors are friendly consumables.
#9
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Perth Ontario Canada
Posts: 11,058
Received 2,255 Likes
on
1,840 Posts
I too habitually put it in neutral before rolling to the stop lights. Expensive lesson as such driving habit on an auto would subject the engine, the gearbox and the engine mounts as well (two in front and the third one in Jaguar is usually called the transmission mount), as they would absorb all the pressure, stress, vibrations and heat.
#11
#12