Actually, engine braking isn't the issue as much as slipping the clutch while doing so.
Brakes are cheaper than clutches.
It does NOT contribute to gas consumption as someone suggested earlier. The injectors aren't even firing when you are in decel.

However, the bearing loads created while engine braking are significant and may or may not contribute to unusual engine wear, not to mention the hyper-extention of the motor mounts.

 

Hey Jeff, then why is idle higher when you're "dead rolling" than when your in neutral standing still?

 

The ECU won't go into the idle program until the speedo goes to zero.

 

agreed. it can even improve your gas mileage (even if slightly). as long as you are downshifting correctly (rev-matching or better yet, double clutching), it doesn't add any more stress to the transmission/engine than "normal" driving.

 

Hey Silly, I haven't read much of these threads but I'm sure its all good info. Send me a PM if you've got any questions--you know I'll be straight up with you (and I can help you relate in girl terminology). :D

 

I sure will when I get off from work. Thanks

 

I also own an auto 8 .. and i want to spend a bit of money on it with a few mods and made it fast .. but not without owning a manual!

How are you trading it in for a manual? What type of price are you paying?

I've been looking into this for a while and want to do this as well!

PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFO!!

As for polak, i'll take you up on that offer I already know how to drive pretty well ... don't stall or anything or grind .. just not certain when to downshift / the feeling of when and a few of the "jolts" when shifting ..

 

I wish i'm off this weekened :-(

 

yeah but your a guy..... :p

just kidding i'd be glad to help.

 

Bah indeed.

But that instill leave my first question unanswered!

I also own an auto 8 .. and i want to spend a bit of money on it with a few mods and made it fast .. but not without owning a manual!

How are you trading it in for a manual? What type of price are you paying?

I've been looking into this for a while and want to do this as well!

PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFO!!

 

With such low torque at low RPMs, I'd think the 8 would be very easy to stall without gassing it in 1st. At least, you'd have to let the clutch out very, very, very slowly.

In general, however, I thought that letting the clutch out slowly caused it to wear faster. If I held the revs at 3K in first gear and slowly let the clutch out I'd think that the clutch would be wearing down quicker than if I held the revs at 3K and dumped it (although dumping the clutch would transfer the torque quickly and therefore would certainly put additional pressure on the tranny, diff., etc.).

 

oh it'll roll in 1st without gassing it, i've done it. just be delicate with clutch engagement and it can be done easily.

as for your 2nd comment, which would you rather save, the clutch (which is a WEAR item and designed to be replaced), or the transmission/diff????

 

I'm just talking about practice. I can't imagine anyone driving around without using the gas.

 

I do sometimes. There are so many elderly people down here that sometimes you are afforded the chance to drive that way. :/

To the other poster's comments.. The RX8 drives fine without gas when releasing the clutch. Just do it slowly, and there's almost no chance of stalling.

 

I hear you on that one :D

 

Well, I guess a better way of asking the question would be: Is consistently letting the clutch out slowly going to cause it to wear noticably quicker? I always try to release it as fast as I can because I'd rather not replace it in a couple years.

'Course, there was this time in reverse trying to back out of a nice steep drive-way in a hurry (thought the guy backing out of his garage didn't see me and was going to hit me). Anyway, I revved it a bit high and dropped the clutch a bit too slow and smoked it...that was smelly , probably took some of its life away.

On another note, what RPM are you all typically at when the clutch is fully engaged in first?

 

1000-2000 rpm is my 'normal' engagement range...

 

Yeah, that was my clutch "break-in" as well. Similar thing, trying to get back (uphill) from the guy parallel-parking a pickup in front of me. The car reeked like burnt garlic until the air got moving. :p After that, the engagement seemed less "grabby", like I had built up a little glaze on the friction surfaces.

When I'm accelerating normally from a stop, I'd say everything is locked up before I get to 2000rpm.

 

How about going over a bump. Do I leave it to 2nd gear the whole time? Cuz there was once where I had it on 2nd then 1st when the front tires crossed the bump cuz I was afraid it was going to die on me.

 

Going over speed bumps, I slow down so much that I have to get it going in 1st. If you're getting down to 5mph or so, the engine would be lugging pretty badly in 2nd.

 

If I slow down a lot, I sometimes have to go into 1st before I can accelerate after a speed bump.

 

at 5mph you will be riding right on the idle rpm in 2nd gear. I usually get the front wheels across in 2nd, WITH the clutch in, an then shift into 1st (by this time you shoul have slowed down to like 3-4mph) and drive the rears off of the bump in 1st.

 

hey slllygrl10 are you going to sell your auto 8 with rims and all?
or will you be keeping things such as your ms front and sides?

 

Oh no I'm taking off my rims, spoiler, side and front even my exhaust and turning my auto 8 back to stock and OMG I GOT MY STOCK EXHAUST BACK TODAY!!!!!

 

When y'all speak of match rev, lets say I was on 3rd press on clutch then gas to match rev then go to second or while pressing on the clutch needs to be in neutral?