Pete Collins Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 There's been a thread recently about longevity of brake pads and disks, and another about which lane you should use on a motorway in which, somebody mentioned that they’d managed to do 80k before they needed new pads etc… ….which brings me to my question: When approaching a junction, do you use the brakes to slow down or the gears? I’ve done some rallying and autocross in the past and always used the gears as part of the slowing down (setting the car up) process but, it appears I am from the old school. These days, new drivers are taught to slow down entirely on the brakes, only changing down the gears when ready to pull away. Maybe this is why I get 60k+ miles on a set of pads and why some other people only get 20k. I believe that police and advanced drivers are also taught to slow down, only using the brakes. What are your views? Quote
adhawkins Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 Combination of the two generally. Brake initially, then change down to gain some braking from the engine. I still don't get much out of my brakes though, cos I use them quite a lot Andy Quote
taffy Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 I believe that police and advanced drivers are also taught to slow down, only using the brakes. Sfunny that, I have been driven by a couple of people latley who have just passed their test. Appears that people are taught nowdays to use the brakes and select any appropriate gear as they stop or slow. ie, no engine braking! Same going up through the gears, any old gear will do! Sign of the times eh? Rob Quote
Dracoro Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 IIRC, they used to say brake with the gears as brakes were relatively expensive and you have to change them a lot. Now, however brakes are a lot cheaper (disk/pads) and easy to change the pads etc. Essentially, changing your pads every 20k miles is cheaper than a new gearbox/clutch etc. every 80k.! Personally I use a balance of engine and brake braking in the westie but mostly the brakes but these are to suit the conditions, speed, type of driving etc. rather than potential wear on the car. Quote
DAVE O Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 On the road I use brakes to slow and then take the correct gear for the speed to continue. (One thing at a time - with both hands on the wheel when braking) When racing both at the same time - braking and also bliping the throttle and down changing all at once - It's quicker but not as safe as the road technique.. Dave O. Quote
hilux Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 Personal opinion..... Engine braking *seems* to help doesnt it but thats cos you gain the extra braking at the rears only and have to brake less. I believe that heavy braking requires the brake action to be correct on both wheels and getting it wrong using engine braking can make the rears lock up or add `push` which will of course increase braking distance. Panic stops are best with the clutch depressed IMHO, cadence braking/racing lines etc are fine as you are moderating speed while cornering generally FWIW Quote
Eccentric_Rich Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 I think the 'old school' method of using the engine to help slow the vehicle was taught because cars of the time had ****e drum brakes which tended to overheat and fade easily. These days even mundane cars seem to be fitted with vented disc brakes and (most of them) can cope with heavy use without fade. Richard. Quote
Nick A Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 I personally use my gears to help with braking i learnt to drive using brakes only i.e current way but prefer to use the gearbox to slow down Quote
DickieB Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 On the open road, look ahead, leave a large enough gap and use the gears to slow down. Rarely use the brakes at all. But then I don't drive around town much, nor do I live near a busy motorway etc. Quote
david.c Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 Another one in the bit of each category David Quote
Boxy Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 I was told: use the least expensive part of the car to stop you (i.e the brakes) however I have always used engine braking it's just so satisfing. Sinco owning my westy I have onl had to use my brakes once to really stop me on the fly (not junctions etc). I was zipping along quite happily around 100 coming up to a nice open 90 left, I left enough distance so I could catch the car up in front and sling shot them on the exit. Unfortunately they decided to stop mid corner and turn in to the junction without singnalling which lead to a rather hasty shedding of speed. Stopped bl**** quickly too, without engine braking I would have stuffed it big time. Quote
DickieB Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 I was told: use the least expensive part of the car to stop you Ah, you mean the nosecone. Yes, used that many times! Quote
Boxy Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 Unfortunately someone else decided to use my nosecone to stop whilst parking their mercedes 4x4 with a tow-bar, not a pretty sight He was good enought to leave his details in my car for me though so not all bad. Get a new nose cone and rad for free! Quote
scruffythefirst Posted October 15, 2004 Posted October 15, 2004 Panic stops are best with the clutch depressed IMHO, cadence braking/racing lines etc are fine as you are moderating speed while cornering generally The production company I work for just did a dvd (coming out soon ) for an advanced driving instructor. They were doing lots of demonstrations of emergency braking and esp on a fwd car keeping it in gear is vital as it help prevent the wheels locking up. Quote
hilux Posted October 16, 2004 Posted October 16, 2004 esp on a fwd car Yup, I can see the logic in that but getting engine braking wrong WILL lock the wheels also. Quote
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