What Is Engine Braking?

Engine braking is something all drivers should know about because it can be helpful in numerous ways. One of the most significant benefits is that it can extend the life of your brakes. However, it also has potential downsides.

If you have questions about what engine braking is, how to do it, and when you’ll feel its effects, this guide is for you.

What is engine braking?

Engine braking involves using the engine to slow down rather than the brakes. 

How can you use your vehicle’s engine as a brake?

Your car starts to slow when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Then, if you shift down a gear, the vehicle will slow even more. This process is known as engine braking, and you’ve probably used it before, even if you didn’t realise it.

Shifting down too early produces a loud noise from the engine because the revs are still too high. If you do this often, the extra strain could take a toll. That’s why it’s important to be conscious of when and how you use engine braking.

How does it work?

When you take your foot off the pedal, the air intake valve closes, creating a vacuum that shuts off the airflow to the cylinders. The lack of airflow provides more resistance to the pistons, slowing the engine down and reducing the car’s speed.

When will you feel the effects of engine braking?

You can feel the effects of engine braking when you lift your foot off the throttle - your car should start to slow immediately. The feeling is more drastic if you shift down gears too quickly, which can make your car jolt.

However, engine braking will not bring your car to a complete halt. To do that, you’ll need to use the brakes and clutch.

Benefits of engine braking

Engine braking has several potential benefits to be aware of.

Downhill driving

Staying in a lower gear while driving downhill helps to control your speed. When you use a higher gear, your car will accelerate much faster, even if your foot is off the pedal.

Reduced wear and tear

The braking system relies on friction to slow the car down, which means the components need replacing every so often due to excessive wear. The more you use engine braking, the less strain is placed on your actual brakes, making them last longer. However, you should not rely on engine braking alone; using a mixture of the two systems is best.

Brake failure

Brake failure is something you will hopefully never experience. But if it happens, it’s good to know you can use engine braking to slow your car by gradually taking your foot off the accelerator and shifting down the gears. Remember: don’t keep your foot on the clutch, or you won’t feel the effects.

Here are five brake problems you shouldn't ignore.

Driving in icy conditions

Using your brakes too forcefully in icy conditions can be dangerous. The best advice is to do everything gently to maintain traction, and engine braking can help with that by allowing your car to slow down gently without the risk of the tyres skidding.

Find out about the anti-lock brake system and how it helps in these situations.

Is engine braking safe?

As discussed above, engine braking is generally safe when used appropriately and can have several benefits. However, there are some situations when using it could be dangerous.

When to avoid engine braking

Engine braking should never be used in an emergency or when you need to stop suddenly.

It’s important to remember that you don’t have brake lights when you use engine braking, so cars behind you might not realise you are slowing down. Most of the time, you’ll be slowing gradually, so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. But you should avoid using first gear because it will make your car jolt harshly without warning.

Is engine braking bad?

Most modern vehicles are well-equipped to handle the forces of engine braking; it generally isn’t harmful. Still, you should use the correct technique - avoiding sudden throttle changes and aggressive downshifting - so you don’t put extra strain on the engine, transmission and clutch.

As long as you use this braking technique correctly and maintain your car with regular oil changes and checks, you shouldn’t experience any problems.

Should you use engine braking in an electric vehicle?

In combustion engine vehicles, engine braking has various positives and negatives. In electric cars, on the other hand, it is actively encouraged because EVs use regenerative braking to slow down and recover energy.

When you lift your foot off the accelerator, the electric motor converts kinetic energy back into electrical energy, which is transferred to the battery for later use.

This guide explains whether electric cars are easy to maintain.

Looking for affordable repairs or maintenance? You're in the right place.

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