Since I bought my car new over 2 years ago, it has never downshifted when braking to a stop. It will downshift at WOT when it is in too high of a gear, but shouldn't it also downshift when I am slowing to a stop? I can be rolling at say 60mph with the converter locked in OD, and the second I touch the brake pedal the rpms drop to idle, until I let off the brake, and then it will lock again. Does the same no matter what speed I'm at, or what gear I'm in. I touch the brakes, and car goes to idle. For instance, if I am doing 60mph in OD, and coming up to a red light, when I touch the brakes shouldn't the car downshift 4-3, 3-2, and then 2-1? Thanks in advance for replies, Bill

 

Hmm that sounds about right. Automatics don't automatically downshift till you hit the gas (or come to a stop, in which case they'll go to 1st). The converter unlocks to provide maximum braking power (so the brakes aren't fighting the drive wheels, so to speak).

At least, this is how I have always understood (and observed) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Dope

 

A4s do not engine brake with the brakes applied. That would be a lot of extra wear on the tranny clutches.

 

Mine just disengages...
I've very aware of it...
It sucks with a cutout...Nice rumble..brake..then nothing... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
I tend to manually drop it to 3rd and 'lightly' brake..sometimes I can keep it in gear that way...'sometimes'...

 

thanks guys, makes me feel better knowing that it's right

 

Everything is fine. Tapping the brake causes the convertor to unlock...hence the drop in rpms. If you tap the brake anywhere over 40 when coasting, it will unlock and then lock back up again.

 

I'm glad to hear it's normal, but I just think it sucks when you have a good exhaust system, when slowing to a stop noone can even hear you coming, guess I got too spoiled with all of the manual cars I've owned in the past. I used to love downshifting a manual, and make some noise while slowing down.