"Dennis P. Harris" wrote in message
news:mkll21t13rtb25tl5m97cs0lqhbs0m0anq@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 05 Mar 2005 16:07:02 -0600 in rec.travel.usa-canada,
> jcoulter <225stellarDROPTHIS@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> In mountainous areas I would not want to be left with an automatic, of
>> course the last time I was in the mountains with an automatic the idiot
>> drive (not me I was the one in the front seat pax side muttering down
>> shift down shift) just about killed us by riding the brakes to the point
>> where they wouldn't work any longer.
>>
> downshifting when going down hills can blow up an automatic.
That rather depends on the design. Many have an oil pump
driven by the engine input shaft and so can suffer from
inadequate lubrication when used this way.
> it's not recommended for most of them. and it's not good for
> manual xmissions either.
>
Its nit really a problem for manual boxes but can potentially
over rev the engine. Generally its considered the
right thing to do on long descending slopes as it
avoids cooking the brakes. I dont normally use engine
braking much as brakes are cheaper than clutches
but definitely did so when descending a number
of alpine passes last year.
Keith
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