by "Hooker" (Hooker)
Published 10/16/2017 at 10:02
by "Hooker" (Hooker)
Published 10/16/2017 at 10:02
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STARS: 1
I understand that with a smaller, turbocharged motor, that engine braking is limited. However, I am finding that I am using my brakes a LOT more with this car in the mountains than even the 2.0T in the Camaro. So my question, this Equinox, when geared down screams into high RPMs with very little slowing of the vehicle. Is there any way I can help slow the vehicle another way without ruining the engine or wearing out the brakes/overheating them? I realize it’s likely just a nature of the beast for the small motor kind of thing. Also, will gearing down and sending the RPM into scream mode hurt the motor during engine braking?
I love the car. It’s surprisingly competent in the corners (and without caveat). I’m also matching or beating the fuel economy from my Camaro already and haven’t hit 1k miles yet. Thanks in advance for your input.
"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
10/16/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 0
There is no other way to slow a car down other than engine braking or brake-breaking. Unless you have active aero, lol.
So I think as long as you don’t ride your brakes all the way down and cook them, that’s about the best you can do. At any rate, that’s what I’ve always been told about mountain driving.
"Hooker" (Hooker)
10/16/2017 at 10:16, STARS: 0
This is kind of where I was going. But you know, I don’t know everything! Haha. Thanks for the perspective.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
10/16/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 2
Was your Camaro a stick shift? Automatic transmissions generally give you less engine braking than manuals.
"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
10/16/2017 at 10:18, STARS: 1
No problem, I don’t do a whole lot of mountain driving, so I could be missing something! When I have though, I’ve noticed speed limits tend to be a little lower to protect people from their own stupidity I suppose.
"nermal" (nermal)
10/16/2017 at 10:26, STARS: 2
Some of the newer ones are also programmed to coast instead of slowing down, in the name of increased MPGs.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
10/16/2017 at 10:31, STARS: 6
There’s other options: Slide it around corners, grind it against guardrails, use other cars to slow down
"e36Jeff now drives a ZHP" (e36jeff)
10/16/2017 at 10:36, STARS: 2
open doors to increase aero drag?
"cbell04" (cbell04)
10/16/2017 at 10:37, STARS: 1
Deploy some parachutes:)
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/16/2017 at 10:41, STARS: 0
If you need to use the actual brakes what’s the best method? Gentle braking more of the time or brief hard stabs at them?
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
10/16/2017 at 10:42, STARS: 1
Pg 230 in your owners manual:
The new Equinox has automatic engine grade braking which is active when the trans is left to shift on its own. It deactivates when you go to manual mode. So it sounds like it is still just relying on shifting to lower gears.
I would try leaving it in drive and setting your cruise control while going downhill. The car should then decide how much to downshift, then you should get a good idea of how well the engine braking works. Later you can shift on your own knowing what to expect.
"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
10/16/2017 at 10:46, STARS: 0
Tow around a 4x4x4ft chunk of lead.
Tow a trailer with trailer brakes.
"Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs" (yowen)
10/16/2017 at 10:48, STARS: 1
I don’t think hard stabs are the way to go, I think somewhere in between is best, enough gentle-to-medium braking to maintain a safe speed / the speed limit. With periods where you give brakes a chance to cool off if you feel you’ve been using them particularly much.
"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
10/16/2017 at 10:50, STARS: 0
In driving school we were instructed to use harder stabs so that you lift off once in a while to avoid riding the bakes all the time and letting heat build up.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
10/16/2017 at 11:16, STARS: 0
Hand activated catch hook!
"Hooker" (Hooker)
10/16/2017 at 11:31, STARS: 1
This is great news! And as a Chevrolet Delivery Manager (self imposed title) I need to know this to be able to explain to my customers! Thank you! Also, it sounds like I don’t need to do shit other than cruise control. Love this. Thank you!
"Hooker" (Hooker)
10/16/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 0
Auto. And a terrible one at that. I mean, once it got going, it was rapid fire shifts. But first start after sitting it was a hesitating pig to drive. Never again 8 speed. Never again.
"Hooker" (Hooker)
10/16/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 0
You and I both know that people will find a way to be stupid no matter what. :)
"Hooker" (Hooker)
10/16/2017 at 11:33, STARS: 0
Haha. This. But less fun in an Equinox than is would have been in Camaro.