How to execute "engine brake" properly?

[Superbug]

Bought a 2006 325i about 3 months ago, it was my first manual and I had never driven manual before that. I use so called "engine brake" intermittently, both under highway and local traffic speeds. What I do is after I shift to a lower gear, I slowly ease out the cluth and let input and output shaft sync up without so called "rev match". This is the proper way of performing an engine brake or I am going to wear out transmission prematurely? Thanks a lot.

[witeshark]

You should blip the throttle to make the engine match the revs. The way you're doing it will wear on the transmission synchronizers (they are doing the rev match for you).

[Superbug]

Thanks a lot.

[Nick_318is]

Yeah you need to blip the throttle to rev match on the downshift, you will get a smoother shift as a result (no jerking).

[Teh Prof]

Not only that, but a lot of the wear is on the clutch, too. Blip the throttle up to where it should be given the speed and gear, then ease out the clutch.

[drz]

So here I come sounding like a broken record:

Blip the accelerator to rev match before letting off the clutch. You don't want to stress your clutch.

Furthermore, I usually rev match plenty of time ahead of when I need to slow down, and only after I have downshifted do I actually hit the brakes. You must be thinking, "but that isn't engine braking at all." You would be correct. I avoid engine braking, which places stress on the exhaust valves. I recommend all drivers of manuals do the same. I use my brakes to slow down -- not my engine.

[witeshark]

O_O Can you explain the stress on the exhaust valves bit please?

[Nick_318is]

+1 DRZ, the brakes are for slowing down not the engine!

[Superbug]

what's the sequence for a proper enginine brake? I found it not very effective to rev up the engine in order to slow down a car quickly, since the car is basically told to accelerate while the intention is to slow down.

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by Superbug

what's the sequence for a proper enginine brake? I found it not very effective to rev up the engine in order to slow down a car quickly, since the car is basically told to accelerate while the intention is to slow down.

If you want to slow down your car quickly, then use traditional brakes. Engine braking is not meant to slow you down quickly--but it will slow you down.

[drz]

Originally Posted by Teh Prof

If you want to slow down your car quickly, then use traditional brakes. Engine braking is not meant to slow you down quickly--but it will slow you down.

I agree.