When in SportShift mode, is it better to brake or downshift? Is there any hard in downshifting? Or does it make more sense to use the brake and then downshift into the proper gear..?

Thanks for the help

 

Just use the brake. SS downshifts automatically as the MPH goes down.

 

i down shift a lot. i hardly use my brakes above 60 mph and my brakes are already warped again!!!! im thinking about upgrading my brakes

sidemarker

 

so i guess your downshifting is adversely influencing the health of your brakes.. guess that answers my question..

thanks

 

yeah my biggest complaint about this car is the brakes. they suck really bad. the first time i drove the car and applied the brakes i knew they underpowered. I try not to downshift to brake because its more wear on the tranny and the engine and i figure it dosent help my brakes at all. i could either A) go to the dealership every 5000 miles and get my brakes fixed under warranty or B) spend the 1300 on the rotora brake kit and will have confident with my car stopping when i want it to...

sidemarker

 

What do they say, " It's cheaper to replace your brakes than your tranny "

 

Yes, and they also say "You get what you pay for.". As with any saying, there is truth and fiction in it. SS down-shifting, when used reasonably, is a driving aid. Abuse it and you will cause harm to your tranny. Remember your tranny is one of the weak links in the CL-S, but so are the brakes!! YMMV

 

The rotors are a hit and miss as far as getting them replaced under warranty.

Some dealerships look at it as a wear and tear item. Mine have been replaced twice, and need to be replaced again soon.



If you are downshifting at the right times, and not doing it to the point where you drive the RPM's up to VTEC range, there really isn't any harm or wear and tear on the tranny or engine. That's what it's made for.


The tranny and engine warranties are much more substantial and definitive than the rotors/brakes.

To answer the question though, I downshift on occasion. It depends on how fast I'm going, and how quickly I need to stop. I don't do it in an abusive manner that drives the RPM's up high.

When I'm coming to a stop sometimes I will drop it into second to slow up before I hit my brakes.

Like I say, it won't hurt the car as long as you aren't running the RPM's up extremely high.