Originally Posted by +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?)
You mean that when I down shift it doesn't reverse the clutch face wear. OH MY?
I use the manual tranny in my
Sports Car to slow down all the time. Having the front wheels work only on the steering part of negotiating a tight turn puts less stress on them and more control. When you figure, brake pad wear vrs clutch plate wear, you are forgeting the cost of front tire wear and the cleaners you buy to make your wheels shiny again. Not sure it comes out equal but I'm willing to pay for the extra control through turns. Especially on wet pavement or snow. And I spend less time sticking my hands and a rag through the wheels.
As for the autoshift tranny, you can't hurt it. The car is smarter than the driver ( which says what about those who chose an automatic
?) and you really can't hurt it by downshifting. Mashing the throttle to the floor going forward probably hurts it more as it upshifts much harder and crisper than it downshifts. Besides, this is a small engine for this tranny.
Further, I don't think it is even possible to overrev the engine downshifting the auto, maybe in stick mode, but the manual is very easy to over rev. Pull fifth to fourth too quick and miss the gate. You end up in second at 70 MPH when you let out the clutch. Car doesn't like it.
roadster with a stick