Well, other than the warranty company deciding that it looked like you abused the transmission because of the engine braking... Better to have saved the extended warranty money and use that for any possible repairs.

All that said, I wouldn't worry about it. Worst case is that you trash the transmission and have to pay for a new one and will know not to do that in the future. Someone needs to find out just how robust the system is. I mean, regenerative braking devices work similarly (use the moving wheels to turn the transmission to turn an electric motor rather than a gas motor), and just that conversion means that the system saves brakes with little wear and tear. And the big reason people weren't supposed to engine brake is that it wears out the clutch. The auto trans works enough differently that it could be a free savings, relatively untapped because its a new concept.

 

Sounds to me like your mind is made up. I have a question. Why do you want to downshift an automatic transmission car? It's AUTOMATIC? Unless going downhill or playing Speed Racer, there is no need for it.

Flea

 

Why put paddles on the steering wheel if not to play with them?

 

There are reasons to do it. Not necessarily good reasons, but at least reasons. If I want to accelerate, downshifting via paddle is a bit faster than stomping on the gas, then waiting for the trans computer to decide that I really mean it and shifting. I can be in a passing gear before pulling out to pass.

 

Well no, my mind isn't made up about anything. If it were, I wouldn't have started this thread. I'm listening to see if anyone actually knows about transmission damage from routine downshifting.

In general the reason for downshifting would be if I had information that the car computer did not have. For example, if I am going downhill the car knows that. But it doesn't know how long the hill is or where I might have to come to a stop. So I might have an advantage in making the decision about when to use a lower gear. And another reason is to save on brake wear. If I can save my brakes and NOT cause transmission damage, then that would be a smart thing to do.

And then there is your point about playing speed racer. Yes, on flat ground I could brake and coast to a stop, but it might be faster (and more fun) to maintain speed until I'm closer to a stop or turn and then use engine braking to slow quickly.

Everything I do in my Fit is going to cause wear. If I want no wear, I should leave it parked. The question is whether a particular manner of driving causes undue wear.

 

they dont call engine braking for no reason. there is nothing wrong with using the drivetrain to slow the car down.

 

This is exactly what you don't want to do when stopping or approaching a turn.

When stopping quickly the only way to do that quickly is to apply the brakes - hard.

Approaching a turn, that will require downshifting - for any reason - brake first, then down shift. To downshift first, in an attempt to loose speed will through the car off balance and that's exactly what you don't want.

These are basic driving principals.

As regards to transmission damage, only if you miss shift - and with an AT you're not bound to do that and as you've noted the Fit's AT will not go into a lower gear if it's out of range.

The paddles are there to sell cars. The kids like 'em.

 

Drive the way you want. The "extra" wear you save on the brakes or add to the transmission is negligible.

 

Brake pads are cheaper than drivetrains. Use the brakes.

 

Exactly, just drive the damn car.

It's designed to downshift, whether you tell it to by pressing the paddles or stomping on the gas, it's going to downshift. Just do what you like, I wouldn't overanalyze it too much.

 

Heck 'ya! I'm with you...
good driving + good maintenance = fun experience.
good driving + no maintenance = expensive
timid driving + dealer maintenance = just park it and take the bus

 

You really don't need engine braking on a Fit for routine driving around
town because the weight and inclines are not sufficient.

I might be inclined to use a lower gear on a long steep incline on a
highway to control speed... but not around town with the Fit.