I have been down shifting and finally using my breakes as necessary as I approach a stop at a light, stop sign, etc.. The idea is to save wear on my breakes...and add a little action to my driving.

Question is, am I saving breakes and wearing out my transmission?

 

Which is the Cheapest To Replace !!

 

I don't know that regular downshifts will cause noticeable wear on the transmission but considering the relatively low cost of replacing pads it doesn't seem like it's really worth it.

 

Enough said ; I think he's got the picture !

 

I respect your opionon, but where do I get a $75 brake job on a Mercedes?

 

Is the transmission a manual? Because if you're down-shifting an automatic, yes that is going to cause excessive wear (mainly because you're down shifting the transmission with higher than normal load, the load of your entire car with momentum, it tends to wear the clutch packs out and cause excessive chattering in the planetary gears if done regularly). It would probably be equivalent to up-shifting under full throttle with 800hp. If it's a manual, then engine braking is perfectly normal and safe on your transmission. As long as you are rev matching before you down-shift, then you are doing no more damage to your clutch and transmission then a normal 2nd to 3rd shift. If you are just slipping the clutch or dropping the gear hard, then you are causing excessive wear on the clutch or transmission.