I'm lucky enough to drive the wunderbar 4.4 / 8 spd., which as you know has the paddle shift fitted, and I find it useful when braking in to a corner to drop to whatever gear is needed. Very useful, and I also find that this gives a fair bit of engine braking, so... I now find that I will drop down gears when, say, on an off-ramp on a motorway. My question is this - obviously the box is under reverse thrust for a good bit longer when doing this, and I'd like to know if this is good practice, or is it stressing the t.c., clutch packs, and whatever else is in there. I believe it does the engine some good to do this, but I don't want to do the box a mischief - I shudder to think what that would cost ! Any thoughts ?

Thanks,

Kenny The best 4.4 x far

My thoughts are that JLR spent a considerable sum of money to work out the best gear change characteristics and that it's an auto, so by name, must know more than we as drivers do...

Doubt it would do it much harm though......  Pete

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don't forget brakes are cheaper to replace than a gearbox.

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought I wast taught in my driving lesson not to use engine braking to slow down coming to normal junctions or to a stop - Thats what brakes were invented for.
Only use engine braking when going down steep hills or when keeping to a certain low speed (say 30mph zone where a higher gear will allow you to go faster)

I suspect you will be using more fuel as well as you will be spinning up the engine revs.

But I may be completely wrong with all that..!! (it's been a while since I took my driving test ) Ash
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2016 SDV8 AB

It depends when you took your test, engine braking used to be favoured when cars had drum brakes all around, but these days brakes are preferable, most cars are over braked these days if anything.

It's good practice to use engine braking when descending a hill with a heavy trailer, to stop the brakes getting cooked. But for normal driving slowing down on the gearbox will obviously put more strain on the drive train than using the brakes. Pads and discs are definitely cheaper to replace than drive train components.

You shouldn't use any fuel when engine braking though, the engine management will shut off the fuel when you take your foot off the throttle. The engine is being driven by the car under engine braking, rather than the other way around.

good point re fuel  Ash
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2016 SDV8 AB

My old man taught me engine braking when I learnt, needed it in the days of 1960's Minis and old MG Midgets with front drums, sporty too. Taught my kids the same for gear selection and vehicle control but their instructors said no, just brake and choose the eventual gear. Daughter likes engine braking, son doesn't.

With an automatic (and paddles or stick shift control) guess it depends on how sporty you are. In the FFRR I try not to brake if I can help it and mostly let the car slow itself down, so Granddad driving then In the MG it's a different matter  .
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I think I will use it sparingly, given the weight and momentum involved here. Although, SVR / Spurt drivers give the box a workout quite frequently, I'm sure The brakes on the 4.4 are superb, I have to say, and my excuse for posting this is that I was trying to keep the brake dust down a bit
Thanks all for replies, indeed a happy Christmas to all !

Cheers !

Kenny  The best 4.4 x far