Engine Braking
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AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
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Engine Braking
So I went on a drive out in the hill country with some WRX friends. (yeah I know, so sue me 
) Anyway, I found myself constantly braking into the turns because my car just doesn't engine brake. I can be in 2nd gear at near redline and lift off the gas completely and the car just very gradually slows down. Not much faster than putting it in neautral. Any ideas? I'm bone stock except for the APR chip.
Other than that, it was a lot of fun. Keeping up with those WRXs wasn't easy though.
2001 1.8t Quattro
) Anyway, I found myself constantly braking into the turns because my car just doesn't engine brake. I can be in 2nd gear at near redline and lift off the gas completely and the car just very gradually slows down. Not much faster than putting it in neautral. Any ideas? I'm bone stock except for the APR chip.Other than that, it was a lot of fun. Keeping up with those WRXs wasn't easy though.
2001 1.8t Quattro
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Maybe you're not engine braking as much as a WRX?
Are you comparing the amount of engine braking going on in your car relative to the subies? If so, at 6K rpms I would imagine you would see a lot more engine braking in their cars...so if you were following them into a turn, they might not brake, but I would guess you would have to. Also don't forget the accordian effect. As you dive into turns, you can't be right on their a$$...they'll have to brake first, and you need enough room between your car and their's to allow them to brake first. If you're too close, you'll find yourself on the brakes longer than you really need to be...because you're braking early.
I know it sounds like I'm out in right field...but you're already there, so I'm just joining you. What you're describing is peculiar.
I know it sounds like I'm out in right field...but you're already there, so I'm just joining you. What you're describing is peculiar.
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
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Re: Maybe you're not engine braking as much as a WRX?
We were all giving about 10-15 car lengths. There was never any time that I was too close. I just noticed that no one else seemed to be braking and that I was ALWAYS braking.
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Re: ii think you need to find a vagcom...
Well I just had my 30K service and they forgot to reset the checkup warning, so I'll have them take a look at that when I bring it back.
Thanks.
Thanks.
AudiWorld Uber User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 66,965
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Go back out by yourself...
and see if you can duplicate this....
As I said, this may be a psychological observation, rather than a real observation. A subie is probably going to have a lot more engine braking than your car at a give rpm level. They are also more tossable, and can take corners with more speed than your car (they are lighter). It's very possible that you were on the brakes more often. Not to insult you, but it's also possible that they were better drivers...a better driver will use less brake, and carry more speed.
Just looking for alternate explanations here....
As I said, this may be a psychological observation, rather than a real observation. A subie is probably going to have a lot more engine braking than your car at a give rpm level. They are also more tossable, and can take corners with more speed than your car (they are lighter). It's very possible that you were on the brakes more often. Not to insult you, but it's also possible that they were better drivers...a better driver will use less brake, and carry more speed.
Just looking for alternate explanations here....