Engine braking, is it necessary with automatic
 

I just bought a 2004 3.9l 40th anniversary ed. mustang with an automatic transmission. I my friend a ride and he says I need to use engine braking to save my brakes. Granted my last car always seemed to warp the rotors, but its brakes sucked to begin with (92 Buick regal gran sport). Just looking at the rotor size, I don't think the car will struggle stoping. So my question is simple, if I have an automatic transmission, do I need to put it in overdrive, and downshift when I anticipate stopping to prevent my rotors from warping. Do any of you have problems with your rotors warping quickly, and do those of you who drive an automatic use engine braking?

you dont need too, it just helps, in an auto it will make it get hotter though. just use your brakes to slow down.

When you see that you are going to have to stop let off the gas and coast untill you have to use the brakes.This will save you some gas and brake wear.I live close to a stop sign and watch people stomp their brakes within two or three car lengths of the sign all the time.Mostly young drivers and middle aged women.Go figure???

I would say that changing brakes would be alot cheaper than swapping the tranny. all that unnecessary shifting would definately decrease the life of the tranny, leading to a short death. I don't know why your friend even suggested that. Maybe if you were hauling/pulling a lot of weight, maybe, but lets face it, a mustang is not going to be doing a lot of that.

Scott

As everyone has already stated, you don't need to use engine brake. :)

My friend would suggest that because he is an idiot. He drives a car even smaller than my mustang (90 MR2), and he always shifts down with his automatic before he stops. We have been argueing about it for the last two weeks, and I finally decided to ask others to see what they thought. I am in complete agreement with the reasoning behind the unnecessary wear on the tranny.

Good, cuz you had me a little worried. I could see where there would be situations with hauling and/or carrying heavy loads or something that it might help, but under normal everyday conditions, it is not necessary. I hope your friend has money to dump in a tranny. He will probably need one soon.

Scott

i use my trannny to slow me down but mine i sstick so its alot different.