Proper RPM at Gear Shift for Braking

Vigilante375 · 06-25-2013, 01:28 PM

I generally never go above 4k RPMs, heck even 3.5k RPMs. Most of the time it's right around 3k RPMs when I engine brake. But I do rev match, as people have stated in here. That helps the engine and clutch out a lot plus reduces the abuse as well. I do drive a 6 spd and not a DTC so that's my take on engine braking.

I still don't get the people who think engine braking makes the engine use gas? It does not! I thought that was cleared up in the last thread about engine braking? Manual and auto's engine brake every day when you let off the gas.

rking117 · 06-25-2013, 02:27 PM

Are we talkng DCT or manual? With DCT there is no issue that can be avoided really as that is the nature of ow the trans works. Bedore I was speaking about a manual shift tranny.

Vigilante375 · 06-25-2013, 03:30 PM

Well the topic is about DCT and I just put my manual trans engine braking habits in as a reference. I guess I should correct my post for that.

I'm not sure for the DCT but I don't see any harm for it. Isn't the DCT suppose to be a better trans anyways and doesn't it rev-match?

Huecifer · 06-28-2013, 12:27 AM

Just to add:

I had 170k on the original clutch and only replaced the brakes once in its lifetime when I traded in my Lexus... and downshifted ALWAYS. So, if you rev match and don't go above 4k or so, you'll be fine.

That car also had the same awkward clutch/flywheel setup as BMWs, with the flywheel being sprung as opposed to the clutch. Because of this, I have 0 worries that driving in the same style with the BMW will do any damage.

Interestingly, the Lexus owner's manual recommended to downshift and engine brake in multiple places, so the whole "it's bad for your clutch" can't really be that true...

06-25-2013, 01:28 PM	#23
Vigilante375 Major 116 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 6M 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	I generally never go above 4k RPMs, heck even 3.5k RPMs. Most of the time it's right around 3k RPMs when I engine brake. But I do rev match, as people have stated in here. That helps the engine and clutch out a lot plus reduces the abuse as well. I do drive a 6 spd and not a DTC so that's my take on engine braking. I still don't get the people who think engine braking makes the engine use gas? It does not! I thought that was cleared up in the last thread about engine braking? Manual and auto's engine brake every day when you let off the gas. Last edited by Vigilante375; 06-25-2013 at 03:31 PM..
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06-25-2013, 02:27 PM	#24
rking117 Lieutenant Colonel 118 Rep 1,668 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i & 320i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Are we talkng DCT or manual? With DCT there is no issue that can be avoided really as that is the nature of ow the trans works. Bedore I was speaking about a manual shift tranny. __________________ Enjoying an E89 Z4, F30 320i and Fiat Abarth // E85 Z4 (sold), E82 128i (sold), Fiat Pop 500 (sold)
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06-25-2013, 03:30 PM	#25
Vigilante375 Major 116 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 2012 AW 6M 135i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Well the topic is about DCT and I just put my manual trans engine braking habits in as a reference. I guess I should correct my post for that. I'm not sure for the DCT but I don't see any harm for it. Isn't the DCT suppose to be a better trans anyways and doesn't it rev-match?
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06-28-2013, 12:27 AM	#26
Huecifer Private First Class 11 Rep 198 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Just to add: I had 170k on the original clutch and only replaced the brakes once in its lifetime when I traded in my Lexus... and downshifted ALWAYS. So, if you rev match and don't go above 4k or so, you'll be fine. That car also had the same awkward clutch/flywheel setup as BMWs, with the flywheel being sprung as opposed to the clutch. Because of this, I have 0 worries that driving in the same style with the BMW will do any damage. Interestingly, the Lexus owner's manual recommended to downshift and engine brake in multiple places, so the whole "it's bad for your clutch" can't really be that true...
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