ML270CDI - gearbox braking

[maldon]

Having noticed the speed with which ML's like to eat disks and pads, I have recently started to use the tiptronic gearbox for braking on slight but long slopes, rather than dabbing the brakes towards the bottom of the hill - nothing strenuous down to 4 then 3 and only second when spped / traffic allows - there is a marginal effect but over a period of time am sure that this will extend the life of the pads and disks.

Am I doing this at the possible expense of the gearbox and should I break the nasty cheapskate habit?

 

[Blobcat]

I do the same in my E320CDI, 300 metre board into 4th, 200 metre board into 3rd and brake at the 100 metre one. I try to brake as little as possible, knocking cruise off well before anything so I can match the speed.
I use the cruise or speed limiter and that with engine braking stops me going outside of ACPO guidelines.

 

[television]

Brake pads and disc are far cheaper to replace than playing around with gearboxes, and that has always been the case.

Malcolm

 

[Rory]

It's been "Gears to go, brakes to slow" for years.

I use the 'box to stop the car running away down hills (that's the only time I ever use the tip function), but not to slow in normal use.

 

[television]

It's been "Gears to go, brakes to slow" for years.

I use the 'box to stop the car running away down hills (that's the only time I ever use the tip function), but not to slow in normal use.

Its true, if you read the hand book of small air craft,it states "avoid use the prop to slow the speed as this will cause bore damage and rings".

Malcolm

 

[maldon]

Right, will curb use except where drop down into 4 to 'bleed' someof the speed off.

Thanks for input.

 

[television]

Just adding a bit more, it is also reverse thrust on the drive chain. Adding some more about the pistons etc, the rings chatter under this condition causing tiny grooves in the bores = not good.

Malcolm

 

[Tim Green]

You will get some engine braking whenever you decelerate - and it will reverse the thrust on the drivetrain. Also, in general it's good to use some engine braking because it pulls oil up into the bores so providing some lubrication. Very good in automatics but not so important with diesels however.

 

[Blobcat]

Just adding a bit more, it is also reverse thrust on the drive chain. Adding some more about the pistons etc, the rings chatter under this condition causing tiny grooves in the bores = not good.

Malcolm

Malcolm you must have a very unique SL500 if it has a drive chain. Hope its a Regina O ring chain at the very least.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Also, while making gearchanges to engine brake, you're destabilising the car and may well end up going backwards through a hedge. Best to use the brakes, progressively.