Utilizing Engine Braking when Driving An Automatic Car

Engine Braking in Automatic Car

Basically the engine braking can still be used in automatic car (matic). The use of engine braking is to help save brake pads that can be obtained by performing the transfer gear lever to the lower position of the transmission (downshift). After stepping on the brake pedal and the vehicle speed is reduced, move the gear lever from position D (DRIVE) to:

1. To "3", or OFF the function of overdrive / OD on the transmission that still use manual overdrive (by pressing the O / D are located on the gear lever). The transmission will drop into third gear position and will not be able to move into fourth gear.

2. Move back to position "2". The transmission will drop into second gear when vehicle speed drops quickly to speed below 90 ~ 80 km / h. This shift makes a stronger engine braking effect.

3. Moving on to the "L". The transmission will drop into first gear when the vehicle speed drops quickly to speed below 40 ~ 30 km / h. In this position obtained maximum engine braking.

Do the above three things in sequence from the highest to the lowest gear.

The principle is similar to a manual transmission, engine braking is obtained by moving to a lower transmission. Figures speed we mentioned above shall be adjusted on each vehicle (the descriptions in the owners manual).

Indeed, with this move so the car feels a little jolt. It marks engine braking works. Jolt more we can reduce vehicle speed by taking into account when making the transmission shift lever position.

For road conditions in the field on the uphill or downhill, we can get the engine braking without having to move the position of the gear lever as above. The trick is to run the vehicle with the position of the gear lever in position "2". This position makes the transmission can not move from the position of "2" to a higher gear and engine braking effect when we reduced the gas pedal pressure will be greater.

Or you can also use the "L" when dealing with the position of the vehicle that steep uphill or downhill (for example, in the basement of the building). In this position, gear acceleration can only move the gear position 1 only.

However, the position of "2" or "L" should not be used in a long time. If it was on a flat road, immediately move the transmission to "D". This is to prevent transmission fluid from overheating and damage to the transmission.