I am about to roll over to 40K at my truck's 13th month. I am trying to save brakes cause it squeeks so as much as possible, I downshift on hills instead of pressing the brake pedal. But will doing that put too much stress on the engine and transmission? I like not having to press the pedal and still maintain speed on downhills. At this high an rpm, the noise is rather sickly (although I am just not used to this noise, maybe its just normal).

Leo dC



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99 F-150 XLT SuperCab, 4x2 3.55 rear, V-6 4.2l Pretend Triton (haha) HEAVY HAULER (for a 1/2 ton)

V-8, who needs a stinkin' V-8? The question is, who wants a stinkin' V-8? Me!

 

...ummmm let's see, brakes $147.68, transmission $2,715.78.

Anybody got a calculator?

 

This is a good idea...If your trying to trash your truck from front to back.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

Just my $.02

I live in the mountains and frenquently down shift when driving down the mountain road. I still use the brakes to keep within a speed range.

If you are letting your engine red line then I would say it's a bad idea otherwise it is accepted practice to use the engine to slow a automobile.

For example at Pikes Peak there are signs that tell you to down shift to avoid brake failute.

Now I don't know what kind of hills/mountains you drive, but I would have to agree with Raoul about the cost of brakes. You have 40k on the truck, are they all highway, or a mix of city and highway. Last I knew brakes lasted around 30k depending on how you drive.

Just my $.02

Regards

Sean
SLC, UT

 

Put me down as the dissenting vote.

Use your engine/tranny and don't worry about the 20 or so hp that you're reverse-loading your drivetrain.

I expect to get 70-90K out of my brakes and would be after blood at 30K relines.

 

I think Good_Guy did get 70 to 90K out of his brakes. He has posted numerous times about the tremendous loads he hauls. Everytime he hits the brakes he is stopping the equivalent of two to two and half F-150's. Also, if I recall we aren't talking Pike's Peak here but the streets of San Francisco? Also the '40K' isn't exactly 'all highway' miles but, alot of stop and go?

Fess up Good_Guy, or do we have to get the rubber hose?

 

He said "sickly noises" at "high rpms". Reasonable speed for the gear downshifted into is OK.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

Most I ever hauled was 7000 lbs GVW (1K overloaded). That 40K miles has probably 75% highway, with 50% of all miles carrying 1/2 ton payload on average. I do indeed haul overloads more often than not. I rarely drive recklessly, and in an effort to maximize MPG's, drive conservatively and defensively (most of the time). I rarely tap 2500 RPM's when accelerating, and try to brake as smoothly as possible. I don't even remember making a panic stop yet. I try and avoid San Francisco all together. Do you know how hard it is to drive downtown in a truck surrounded by riceboys in their clown cars? I wanted to have my brakes replaced but we took it to a brake/suspension shop and they said it has maybe 5-15K miles left. When I downshift in the freeways, I just take it out of OD. In the city hills, down to 2nd. And on one long winding residential street, I left it at 1st and maintained 30 mph. I don't recall going over 4K RPM's.

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99 F-150 XLT SuperCab, 4x2 3.55 rear, V-6 4.2l Pretend Triton (haha) HEAVY HAULER (for a 1/2 ton)

V-8, who needs a stinkin' V-8? The question is, who wants a stinkin' V-8? Me!

 

Alright! We've heard about enough.

You have the right to remain silent.
You have the right to have an attourney present during questioning.
If you desire an attourney and cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you.
Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?

Do have anything anything in your pockets that might cut me as I search you?

 

I hope it never reaches a point where I can't engine brake a F150. If they ever get that weak, we all better look for something else or keep putting parts in what we have. I've had 5 new ones in 20 yrs. & had only a AODE go out after a lot of miles.

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-Poweraid-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

I'm calling for backup and requesting a K-9 unit.

I made an honest mistake. The last time Good_Guy mentioned hauling 7k, I think he left off the (GVW) part. Anyway, when someone is named 'Good_Guy' you just got to push him til he snaps.

It could have been worse. LAPD could have responded to this thread, then you all would have got beat up.

(Watch your speed and have a nice day.)

 

Peoples driving habits can have a lot to do with break wear. Seems to me you already need brakes. There are indicators built into the pads that cause that squeek when the brakes are significantly worn. So, If you don't want to be replacing the rotors too, I would put new pads on. And from reading the other posts in this section on Ford rotor problems, I would not take any chances.

 

I use the engine to slow down all the time...I switch out of OD and let the engine do some braking. I use the heck out of that OD button. For normal driving I keep the OD on (light out) but when I need extra braking, I hit the button. Do it all the time, everyday...no problems.

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'99 F150 SC, 4x2, Oxford white, flareside, 5.4, 3.55 rearend,
bodyside mouldings, Snugtop hard tonneau, K&N dropin and airbox mod.
Duraliner drop-in (gave up on the Penda Nascar). Gibson Supertruck. Ford 2-piece bra. Catch-All floor mats.
No door cracks yet at 6K!!!

Future mods: 2/4 lowering, and some Roush stuff.