When it comes to fuel efficiency and saving money on gas, one phrase that will pop up time and time again is engine braking. And while many people get great use out of engine braking, some people will tell you not to do it because it’s ‘bad for your car’. So what’s the deal with engine braking?
Why is engine braking bad? Well, contrary to popular belief, engine braking- done correctly- isn’t actually bad for your car. If you’re doing it the right way, you can actually allow for more fuel efficiency with your vehicle and increase the longevity of your brakes and brake pads.
With so many contradicting facts swarming around the internet when it comes to whether engine braking is bad or not, it can be difficult to make the right decision. That’s why we are going to dive into the world of engine braking and let you know why it can be good for your car, and why it could possibly cause harm.
What is Engine Braking?
Engine braking is usually done in manual cars, unless your automatic car allows for manual downshifting. That being said, engine braking is essentially a way to slow down your vehicle without ever touching your foot to the brake pedal. This is performed by downshifting the car when it’s ready, with your foot not touching either pedal during the process.
With engine braking, when you see a hill or a red light in the distance and there are little to no other cars on the road that could get in the way, you will simply remove your foot from the gas. Will automatically begin the slowing down process of the car. If you’re in third gear while this happens, allow the car to slow down a bit until it’s ready for second gear. Continue this method until you come to a complete stop.
However, it’s important to note that nine times out of ten the light will turn green before you reach a complete stop. This, in turn, will allow you to accelerate without starting from 0. If you have read our blog about how fuel efficiency is affected by gas, you would know that starting from 0 and accelerating wastes far more gas than starting at a slow speed and steadily increasing. This is why engine braking is a commonly used method for those who want to increase fuel efficiency and spend less time at the pumps!
Why is Engine Braking Good For Your Car?
You’re going to hear a lot of people telling you not to engine brake your vehicle because it can cause damage; and to be fair, this is true if you’re not doing it correctly, but we will get into the dangers later. Firstly we’re going to look at the benefits of engine braking:
- Increase the lifespan of your brake pads.
- Helps in the gradual descent of the car while going downhill, which reduces chances of brake fading.
- Increase in fuel efficiency.
- With a manual car, the process only requires one foot rather than two, reducing overall fatigue of the driver.
- Saves money in the long run.
Increases the Lifespan of Your Brake Pads
Think about it: when you are performing an engine brake, your foot never comes in contact with the brakes. This means that there is no pressure or friction being put on the brake pads whatsoever, increasing the longevity of the brake pads. This is important because: 1. They will work better when you need to stop quickly to avoid an accident and 2. You won’t have to spend upwards of $500 to have your brakes replaced.
Helps in Gradual Descent of a Car Going Downhill
Why is this important, you may ask? Well, when you are going downhill and not engine braking, you will be pressing the brakes rather often to ensure your car doesn’t speed up during the descent. This constant use of the brakes takes a toll on the brake pads as they begin to heat up generously, ultimately leading to the fading of brakes. On the other hand, if you engine brake while going downhill, you never have to use the brakes or put unnecessary heat and friction on your brakes, so you greatly reduce brake fading overall.
Increase in Fuel Efficiency
As we mentioned before, engine braking is an excellent way to increase overall fuel efficiency. This is because you are more than likely not going to come to a complete stop before you accelerate again, and a bulk of your gas consumption comes from this type of acceleration. Fuel efficiency is also gained to the fact that the throttle is closed while performing engine braking, reducing gas consumption.
Reduced Fatigue for the Driver
Let’s face it: a manual car can become quite tiring after time, having to use two pedals simultaneously throughout your drive. But with engine braking things are done a little bit differently as you will only need to focus on one pedal during the braking process, instead of two. This reduces the fatigue of the driver, which is always beneficial as it heightens alertness of the driver, avoiding mistakes that can be critical.
Saves Money
Engine braking can save you a lot of money in the long run. With the fuel efficiency and reduced consumption of gas, you won’t have to spend as much money at the pump (which is a huge bonus considering the outrageous gas prices of today). Aside from less money being spent on gas, you won’t have to worry about replacing your brakes as often. Brakes can be incredibly expensive, so knowing you won’t need them replaced anytime soon is a huge plus in of itself.
How is Engine Braking Bad?
Of course there’s always a risk for engine braking actually being bad for your vehicle. Let’s discuss some of the reasons why you might not want to do this:
- While you’re performing engine braking instead of traditional braking, the brake light will not light up. This means that everyone driving behind you will not be immediately aware that you’re slowing down.
- If you are downshifting sooner than your car is ready, you will be putting an ample amount of pressure on your clutch and transmission. This can lead to some pretty serious problems with the transmission, and if you know anything about transmission replacements, you are looking at a pretty heavy amount to pay. That being said, you should never try engine braking unless you’re completely aware of how to do it and can feel confident you’re not downshifting before you’re supposed to.
- Engine braking takes time. If you need to stop quickly, engine braking is NOT a good option. If you need to stop quickly to avoid an accident, make sure you use the brakes. Never try engine braking when you need to made a sudden stop.
Conclusion
If engine braking is done properly, it is actually good for you car. It can save your brakes and brake pads, increase fuel efficiency, and overall increase the life of your car. You’ll spend less money and feel comfortable knowing you aren’t putting unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle. However, make sure you use the brakes in sudden stops and emergencies, and never downshift sooner than you’re supposed to as this can cause transmission problems.
