When exiting the highway or taking an easy turn, which is better for the car, downshifting or braking?

NC
'86 944 NA

 

Brakes were designed specifically to stop a moving car - engines and tranmissions were designed specifically to move a stopped car...........

 

Braking. Is saving the pads worth a broken tranny? If you think it is by all means, it's your car. IMHO I would advise against down shifting for braking.

 

NEVER DOWNSHIFT IN ORDER TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN!

Brakes are for slowing the car down - the transmission is to connect the motor to the wheels.

Brake pads and rotors are cheap. Transmissions and clutches are expensive.

-Z-man.

 

When exiting the highway, AFTER you brake to slow the car down, you have to down-shift, unless you plan on coasting all the way home! So the answer to the question is yes, to keep going at a slower speed, and NO to slow down.

Right?

 

Andy:
You first slow down using the brakes, and when the car has slowed down to the point that it warrants a lower gear, then you shift down to the next year.

BTW: NCPorsche - perhaps you've heard of "heel-toe-downshifting?" This is a technique used in racing that enables the driver to grab a lower gear while under braking. Selecting the lower gear should have no effect on the braking attitude of the car. If you're driving with a proficient heel-toe downshifter, you wouldn't even feel when the lower gear is selected.

-Z.

 

trick question... NEITHER! if you are on a ramp to turning you shouldn't be downshifting or braking at all. You should have that work done by the time you get to the turn. Go take a DE and you'll understand why.

 

That's what I said Z!

You hit the brakes, wonder what that vibration is, shift it into a lower gear, wonder what that drivetrain noise is...check your gas guage and wonder why it says 3/4 when you just filled up...then go on your way!

 

Lol. Almost makes me miss my 944. Except, my e30 is no different.

 

Well, unless you're trailbraking into the corner!

I think NC's point was whether to use the tranny or brakes to slow the car down, and clearly, the answer is use the brakes.

-Z.

 

Thanks for the replies. While my question might be construed as rudimentary, this bit of additional knowledge and the quick responses makes Rennlist the web-site for all things Porsche.

I do hope to attend the next DE event at Carolina Motor Sports this fall. The car needs some optional front end work first.

As a follow-up question... Recently I had the back end lose traction on me for the first time. I was in the NC mountians on a gentle rise. The car in front of me pulled over to let me pass. I accellerated and then quickly found myself entering a hairpin turn. I was in second gear taching about 3k. The turn came so quickly I did not have the chance to slow down, so I accelerated, the rear slid out and then slid back. It happened so quick and furtunately there was no oncoming traffic.

What do you do in a situation like this, other than slow down before the turn?

NC
'86 944 NA

 

Thank God you didn't buy an old 911?

 

Well what if all downshifts are done with a rev-match or heel toe.. ?

Thats typically what i do for the street.

I did experiment with trail braking once for an exit ramp..never again, . Ill leave it to autocross.

 

I do both. I brake and right after i pushed the brakes (still braking) i downshift and revmatch. which is what downshifting SHOULD be...

putting it in a lower gear and popping out the clutch is stupidshifting.

 

a warning to you. if it rains or it rained the day before or if you even THINK the ground is wet. do not take turns fast/semi fast/ even a little bit fast in your 944.

for some reason the 944 doesnt like it. i wrecked my car in that fashion. and countless other ppl have spun /wrecked. its worst at the top of hills while turning. SPIN!!!!