Tacoma Dude

Okay so with an automatic transmission I know that 2nd gear is the better option as a mechanical brake when coming down mountains or steep downgrades. But is it advisable for short distances of less than 50 ft?

Here's the story...
You all familiar with the red light cameras? Well, I was running late the other day and trying to beat a yellow when I saw the trademark red light camera sign. So I slammed on the brakes and flipped myself into 2nd then 1st gear.

Both times when the gear changed it jumped to 4K RPM so I wasn't redlining or anything.

1st question: did I screw anything up?

2nd question: would it be advisable to use 2nd gear when coming to red lights to help slow down the vehicle along with the brakes?

Thanks guys, whatever info you got I'd appreciate!

gwhayduke

Nah...you probably didn't. Once or twice wouldn't do it. Just keep in mind that you're forcing a lot of machinery to use up the kinetic enrergy of your vehicle in a very short timespan. That means that all your tranny gears are being forced to spin up quickly, then those gears are going to force the engine to spin up as well. In the end, you got a lot of mass that doesn't want to change what it's doing that is being forced to change what it's doing. That's inertia...a resistance to a change in motion. And the more mass you have, the more inertia you have. The more inertia you have, the larger the force required to change it's motion.

Plus there are clutches in the tranny as well. Now which would you rather replace...the clutches in your tranny or your brakes. Yep...brakes are easier and cheaper to replace.

mtnfreak

Don't worry, your tranny is computer controlled and the computer won't let you over-rev. It will also let you know if anything goes wrong.
I wouldn't make a habit of using the tranny to bring you from 60 to 0 quickly, but once in awhile is fine. I downshift a lot when I'm driving in the mountains and don't wan't to overheat the brakes or know that I'm going to need the power boost as soon as I come out of a turn, etc.