# 2014 Ford F-150 - harmful to downshift instead of braking?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [February 17, 2019, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801 "2019-02-17T13:38:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DougSchull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DougSchull](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DougSchull)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801/1 "2019-02-17T13:38:33Z")

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I drive a 2014 Ford 150 automatic. I prefer to township when slowing down instead of using brakes as much as I can. Is this harmful in anyway?

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**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801/2 "2019-02-17T14:32:49Z")

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What would you want to wear out quicker, your clutch or your brakes?

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801/3 "2019-02-17T14:54:28Z")

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Brakes are FAR cheaper than a rebuilt automatic transmission. Does that answer your question?

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2019, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801/4 "2019-02-17T15:10:15Z")

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> [@DougSchull](#):
>
> Is this harmful in anyway?

Yes, and a wasted effort . Brakes are a lot cheaper than a transmission . Also if you are slowing down by downshifting your brake lights are not telling the people behind you that you are getting ready to stop.

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801/5 "2019-02-18T13:11:35Z")

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You only downshift on a long downhill grade like in mountain driving. Also when towing a trailer you need the additional engine braking to help the brakes.

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**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-ford-f-150-harmful-to-downshift-instead-of-braking/134801/6 "2019-02-18T21:06:39Z")

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> [@DougSchull](#):
>
> I drive a 2014 Ford 150 automatic. I prefer to township when slowing down instead of using brakes as much as I can. Is this harmful in anyway?

Why do you prefer it?