Engine as brakes down a mountain
Our first trip is to Loft mountain, VA,3 adults 2 grandparents, 4 teenagers, and stuff. 27 ' ford conquest by gyulfstream advise is to keep in I low all the way down, use engine as breaks. does that...
Forum Discussion
Chandalen wrote:
This makes me feel a little better... I always think high RPM's is gonna hurt the engine/transmission. In perspective, possibly hurting the engine is better than overheating breaks and not having them when needed.
So.. everyone is in concensus that the vehicle downshifting and staying at 4k RPM is OK for engine and transmission (assuming 6k is redline)
Won't hurt a thing. My 1st car saw redline quite frequently (88hp will do that). Still going strong at 175k when the body gave out to rust.
I do a lot of downshifting coming down mountains/hills and regularly will go down at 4-5k RPM. Doesn't hurt a thing assuming your engine is in good shape. There's one hill I've done near 3 miles down at 4-5k RPM and no worries from the engine.
Stay under redline and you will be fine. Best to save the brakes for the true emergencies.
