Engine Braking

[_dg]

Having just used my new (W) 2.3 Zetec petrol on some twisting and hilly country roads, I find that engine braking is non-existant - the engine and car will continue to accelerate when I change down gears whilst going down even the slightest slope.

 

Is this a common feature of the Zetec engine?

 

Cheers

dg

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Depends on how steep the hill is! Strange things like this happen due to the emission control regs and the knock-on effects on the way that engines are fuelled. When you took your foot off the accelerator in "the good old days" the fuel supply was effectively cut instantly; nowadays there has to be a generally slow reduction in the amount of fuel reaching the engine. If the ECU sees that the speed is still much the same, it probably keeps supplying fuel at the same rate. However as I now drive diesel, perhaps other petrol 2.3 owners might like to comment....

[Dally]

I have a 2.3 and find that the ECU acts as described above. When you release the accelerator, petrol continues to flow for a moment and you can then feel the sudden drop in momentum as it cuts off. I would agree that engine braking is variable but I find that it depends what gear you're droping down to - I find that the gear ratios are not that evenly spread and a gear with one of the wider ratios is not as good for engine braking.

[Guest kd035050]

Is it not true that engine braking is no-longer advised by driving instructors? Quote "that why you have brakes". I like engine braking however my 2.3 ghia also doesn't supply enough engine braking for my liking, however it gives a smother drive?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Warning: be careful of what driving instructors teach you - they are teaching you to pass the test, NOT how to drive and there is a BIG difference!!!

Engine braking should be used appropriately - how many steep hills do you find have a roadsign saying something like "steep hill - engage low gear".

[_dg]

I am also noticing that even when approaching junctions/islands etc on level roads, the engine still seems not to want to decelerate.

 

I agree that the engine is otherwise smooth, but I am having too frequent sudden braking for my passengers liking!

 

I am not looking forward to winter driving and having to use my brakes to slow down on an icy road.

 

On the subject of driving instruction - would this explain why the majority of vehicles I am behind have brake lights that flash at regular 5 second intervals in even the slightest bit of traffic?

 

dg

[_dg]

Engine braking should be used appropriately - how many steep hills do you find have a roadsign saying something like "steep hill - engage low gear".

LOL

 

I tried this recently and changed down to lower gears.

 

I noticed other drivers giving me the "you're a mad man" look as we zoomed past them at warp speed.

 

I am still trying to get the top of the seats to puff back out after being firmly squashed by my passengers' very firm grip.

 

dg

[Guest steven.tunnicliffe@lineone.net]

dq.....I had a right good chuckle at your last reply.

It was the first thing I noticed in my Galaxy 2.3 petrol when I bought it 3 years ago that the engine braking was virtually non-existent.

Is it the ECU that keeps the engine revving at 1200rpm momentarily when you come to a stop? Sometimes with the air con on it revs at 1500 for a while before realising it doesn't need to work so hard.

Having another problem lately, keeps missing a beat now and then, goes alright for a few days then it'll miss a beat...not quite a misfire but feels a bit like one.

[ridway]

Yes in a word. The engine brakinging is useless. My 2.3 is exactlly the same. Good job the real brakes are good!