Engine braking

nvingo

Won't Traction Control (always part of ESP /stability program) perform the equivalent of ABS under engine braking?

cosmicma

not sure to be honest
my understanding of traction control is it takes the drive away from a spinning wheel and applies drive to wheels with traction rather than freeing up a locked wheel and is done through the differential
ESP / stability programs tend to work with the brakes / engine ( as far as i am aware ) and not all cars with ESP / stability programs have traction control

iv'e no clue how much interaction any of that would have if you managed to lock up a wheel or wheels using engine braking

gibbsy

I was taught to use engine braking in a manual car, in fact in the late 1960s it was part of the driving test 'to slow the vehicle by the use of gears'. In my HGV test, taken in 1980 you had to bring the vehicle to a halt by the use of gears only.

I was also taught advanced driving and using the automatic gearbox to slow the vehicle to ensure instant engine response for acceleration. I've never had wheels locking up under engine braking.

noiseboy72

And there lies the problem. Modern vehicles have more braking effort, are more likely to be front wheel drive and be fitted with ABS and ESP. There's nothing wrong with engine braking in the right circumstances, but modern vehicles do not require it and used incorrectly it can increase risk. Therefore, new drivers are taught never to rely on it and to use lower gears to control speed on long inclines but not to slow a vehicle to a stop in this manner.

I am sure no one would disagree that road conditions and the vehicles on them have changed massively since the 60s - or even the 80s and relying on training and techniques from that period might not be the best idea.

IronGiant

I tend to use the reverse accelerator method of braking. i.e. take my foot off it in plenty of time   If extra action is required I move my right foot to the other right foot pedal.  Changing disks and pads is generally cheaper than changing a clutch.

gibbsy

I've just had the first service on my Golf GTD. 18400 miles and just 10% wear on the discs. Anticipation of the road ahead is a cheaper than banging on the brakes when you're a few feet behind a car. Some people must go through brake light bulbs like a cheap Christmas tree.

gibbsy

Are you saying I'm old.

IronGiant

The old techniques we were taught are still relevant, but maybe not suited to the stop/start generations that follow us

noiseboy72

Probably no older than me, I passed my car test in 1989...

gibbsy

Not unless you were a late starter. 1969, second attempt. I passed my HGV in 1980, first time.

Cars are far easier and safer to drive now then when I was learning. 70 mph on a motorway wasn't so much a limit, more of an aspiration with the first few cars I owned. Problem is today that there are lot of high performance cars on the road being driven by low performance drivers.