[quote=+fireamx]Msgump, not having a better understanding of the internal workings of the Crossfires Automatic tranny, I can only tell you that I always heard it was harder on them to manually down shift than it was to manually up shift.
I'm sure it's harder on your CV joints, timing chain, and differentials ring and pinion because of the sudden jolt caused by the instant deceleration. But then some of that shock would be absorbed by your torque converter as long as the lock up feature disengages quick enough. Being electronic, it probably does.
Having a 6 spd I seldom down shift to slow down (unless of course I'm on a really curvy road where I ALWAYS take advantage of the Crossfire being a "Sports Car"). Besides, brake pads are so much less expensive to replace than a clutch.
With a manual shift, you can "blip" the throttle to help match the engines RPMs with those of the spinning clutch plate and thus eliminating some of the extra strain on the drive train. Something you can't do with an automatic.
I suppose if you don't do it ALL the time, you'll probably never experience any problems, it's a pretty heavy duty transmission. After all, in most owners manuals they tell you to down shift to a lower gear to help facilitate braking on steep hills. (I wonder how much more work automatic transmission shops get in San Francisco compared to the Flat Lands?)[/quot

Thanks for the information....glad someone out there read my question finally....I think if I am not speeding and coming up to a light it might not be a drastic change to downshift just to slow down until the light changes rather than hit the brake...but I'm still open to opinions....