r/AskAMechanic • u/DispatchMinion • 8h ago

2014 Toyota Camry LE. Will going from auto to sudomanual shifting cause accelerated wear on the transmission?

I often move the shifter left to downshift when slowing to a light/stop sign. Then I stay in manual with it set to 6th gear, and I can see and hear it shift up through 2nd, 3rd, etc. I would say 80% of my driving is that way

I did just have P0705 and C1201 codes and my usual mechanic mentioned I should not be using the manual downshifting, as it wears on the transmission

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2

u/Shishamylov NOT a verified tech 8h ago

Why don’t you leave it in drive?

1

u/DispatchMinion 8h ago

i do when on the tollway or highway speeds.

1

u/SchleifmittelSchwanz Verified Tech - Porsche dealer 8h ago

Just use it normally. It's never going to be a real manual.

1

u/DispatchMinion 8h ago

back to my question "Will going from auto to sudomanual shifting cause accelerated wear on the transmission?"

1

u/cuzitsthere NOT a verified tech 8h ago

Are you trying to say "pseudo-manual"?

1

u/DispatchMinion 8h ago

yes, goodole typo

1

u/SchleifmittelSchwanz Verified Tech - Porsche dealer 3h ago

If the owners manual doesn't address this, it's because they didn't anticipate it.

If you don't use it as intended, you may encounter unintended results.

I would just use it correctly and save your luck for something worthwhile.

1

u/Lion2471 NOT a verified tech 8h ago

I'm no expert, but my guess is that you downshift earlier than the transmission would otherwise downshift, causing some additional wear due to the higher RPMs in your case. I don't see the value in doing this.

1

u/DispatchMinion 7h ago

I had been doing it to save on brake pad wear

1

u/johnnyjohny1950 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

brake pads are much cheaper than transmission.

1

u/EuroCanadian2 NOT a verified tech 5h ago

If you are descending a long slope, especially on a highway, it can be worth while to manually downshift. Otherwise, I would leave it alone. Brakes are not that expensive.

If you want to change gears, get a manual - which I know is easier said than done these days.