"Temporary Manual Mode" to Save Brakes?

aforsythe1

I am the happy owner of a 2013 Impreza 2.0i Premium 5 DR automatic. I usually drive in automatic rather than Manual, but there is an option to use the steering wheel paddles to enter "temporary manual" and downshift or upshift. I have been using this to downshift and slow the car with engine braking as I approach many stops and turns, thinking it would save the brakes.

But, am I saving the brakes at the expense of the transmission or engine or gas mileage? In other words, is this a bad idea?

Thanks for any advice.

Andrew

xwesx

In my testing with the CVT, the car's programming will not let you "shift" the transmission outside of safe limits for the car, so I doubt you're doing any damage. That said, I still felt like it was more taxing on the car than, say, downshifting a manual transmission under the same circumstances.

Plus, the primary reason for downshifting a car while slowing is to keep the car in the right gear for the speed (a defensive driving technique) moreso than any benefits derived from not needing to brake. Given that an automatic will keep you/put you in the right ratio on demand, I'm not convinced that there is any prudent reason to use the paddles for downshifting on a regular basis. Ultimately, I doubt you will see any real benefit in terms of brake longevity (unless you mange to do this on a highly regular basis and would otherwise brake frequently) or issues involving wear & tear. Fuel economy should be unaffected in any noticeable fashion as well.

aforsythe1

Thank you for your reply and advice. Looks like the best course is to use "temporary manual mode" for engine braking only on long or steep hill descents, and otherwise to just let the brakes do their job.

Thanks again.

Andrew

ateixeira

Plus, look at the cost of a brake job vs. any sort of trans service.

I agree about being in the right gear, though.

fredjohnson

I wouldn't use the transmission that way. Too much wear and tear on it and the engine. Brake pads are pretty cheap to replace. The other things aren't.

aforsythe1

Thanks, folks. Advice taken.

Andrew