Is engine braking bad?

[Jeep Junkie]

I crawl down steep trails in 4Lo and 3rd gear and my RPMs are between 3,000 and 4,000 and the oil pressure is constant at 80 psi. I want to know that in trying to save my brakes I don't kill something else lol. Actually it's not all about brakes, I want to have a controlled speed coming down, that's why I'm in a Jeep and not in a Toyota RAV4. So is engine braking safe? If not then how do you guys do it?

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[Jeep Junkie]

I did so much of this steep crawling down engine braking. Maybe that's why my 0w20 got chewed into 0w16

 

[Wabujitsu]

I crawl down steep trails in 4Lo and 3rd gear and my RPMs are between 3,000 and 4,000 and the oil pressure is constant at 80 psi. I want to know that in trying to save my brakes I don't kill something else lol. Actually it's not all about brakes, I want to have a controlled speed coming down, that's why I'm in a Jeep and not in a Toyota RAV4. So is engine braking safe? If not then how do you guys do it?

How far of a downhill distance are you talking about?

 

[Jeep Junkie]

How far of a downhill distance are you talking about?

3 miles

 

[Wabujitsu]

3 miles

Muhammad, that’s a good question, considering the distance. I would probably use a combination of engine braking and pumping the brakes with the manual in neutral. I have an auto trans now, but in the past I’ve had manual transmissions in various vehicles.

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Muhammad, that’s a good question, considering the distance. I would probably use a combination of engine braking and pumping the brakes with the manual in neutral. I have an auto trans now, but in the past I’ve had manual transmissions in various vehicles.

Thanks, I will cut down engine braking when it is possible next time

 

[2nd 392]

Thanks, I will cut down engine braking when it is possible next time

3-4K isn’t over winding the engine, as @Wabujitsu said use together. 3 mi isn’t long but on long downhills, especially if towing use engine braking to keep from overheating the brakes.
a Jake Brake saved my ass coming down Pacheco Pass when the anti skid failed and released the brakes with slight pressure. Wheels off the ground in the curves with the Jake Brake. It would have no doubt rolled without.

 

[CorvZ061]

You’re not hurting anything engine braking. The engine is running, has oil pressure, the only thing you may get is burning oil a little more due to the high vacuum produced during this time.

 

[alphawolff]

Engine braking is especially good for piston ring health. It causes a very strong vacuum pull and helps seat things. No harm in doing it.

 

[58Willys]

Engine braking doesn’t hurt the engine; but you don’t need to be at 4000rpm either. 2500-3000rpm, anything over thst you’re going too fast.

 

[Jeep Junkie]

Engine braking doesn’t hurt the engine; but you don’t need to be at 4000rpm either. 2500-3000rpm, anything over thst you’re going too fast.

Yeah third gear is too fast, I'll keep it to second only

 

[Stetson]

I have the manual transmission and I engine brake and downshift slowing down to about 90% of stoplights and stop signs.
It doesn’t hurt a thing.

 

[Ratbert]

3 miles in 3rd in 4lo?

 

[Jeep Junkie]

3 miles in 3rd in 4lo?

I switch to 4Lo when paved road ends lol. My record is 40 miles of 4Lo on WA BDR. Willys 4Lo is not too slow

 

[Ratbert]

I switch to 4Lo when paved road ends lol. My record is 40 miles of 4Lo on WA BDR. Willys 4Lo is not too slow

Just to make everything work that much harder?

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