I have a new 05 Lancer ES MT, and am not quite sure how it is supposed to "feel" when one lets off the gas just to slow down without downshifting, but mine sort of feels almost like it "surges" slower, sort of like breaking when all I do is let off the gas, happens in any gear, is this normal?

 

Depends on what RPM range you're at. If you're doing 5k and let off, it's gonna slow down more than if you're doing 2k.

 

it depends on what gear ur in 2, if ur on low gear and on a high rpm once u let go of the gas the car will slow down it is doing so called engine braking. but if ur on high gear on high rpm if let go of the gas u wont feel as much slow down. it s just like going down hill u dont have to step on d brake, just shift low (1st or 2nd) off the gas the car will slow down itself doing engine braking.

 

If you don't have to, don't down shift. The reason for downshifting is either to get into the right gear to drive out of a corner or to use the engine to 'brake'. It's cheaper to change the brake pads than your clutch.

 

it is, but in reality you shouldn't let the clutch slip for that long at anytime. I regularly use engine braking and now have almost 60K on my clutch, and it's got a while left on it

 

I have a friend that swears by using a combination of engine braking and the brake whenever possible. He says its the best way to slow down if you have time. Is he right??

 

I use engine breaking whenever possible, once you do it for a while you don't even think about it, just make sure you aren't letting the clutch slip

 

Ok, thanks everyone for the quick response.

 

+another 1...

I always use a combination of breaking and down shifting... After you have been doing it a while, it becomes natural, and smooth..I have done it on 4 different cars, and not a clutch problem with any of them.

55k on original clutch from 0.5 miles.... If you ride the clutch too long, you are sure to get a new one in a few months...


As other said, its the driver, not the clutch (in most cases)


- Andy