how bad is engine braking for the clutch? like using 2nd gear at about 40 mph and easing out the clutch pedal to slow down along with the brake. i use engine breaking alot, but mostly not at high speeds; the clutch is the original and doesnt feel like it has any excessive wear.

 

yeah for the year ive had the car ive changed brake pads twice and i suspect warped rotors from steering wheel vibration when braking. ive heard stories for engine braking and normal braking so ill prolly just keep the habit and go with engine braking.

 

I use engine braking nearly always when it's possible, in some places (driving school) they even recommend doing that.

I don't think it does _any_ harm to the motor and for example my Pro1 has now 165t miles and not any signs of wear in the clutch.

Using that also reduces fuel consumption if the car has fuel injection because car's computer cuts off givin fuel to the motor during engine braking. When engine speed approaches ~1500rpm the computer continues giving fuel. So basically during engine braking the fuel consuption is zero.

 

Uhh... at any RPM the engine is getting fuel, except 0.

When you're engine braking, the throttle plates are shut so there is minimal air going in there. IN accordance, the ECU dikstributes minimal fuel as well. there IS some fuel .

 

Well on-board computer (or what it's called?) really shows that fuel consumption IS zero. It's the transmission that keeps motor running in that case when it's normally otherwise round.

 

I use engine braking except when I'm going to stop. If I'm stopping I will let the gear I am in run out of engine braking time and then push in the clutch and stop. On the freeway I use engine braking all the time, sometimes in multiple gears. The most harm that comes to a clutch is through application (ie. shifting). Once your clutch is released its just doing its job all happy like.