Zed's compression assisted braking.

[1 Bravo 6]

I don't know how many of our members have a Zed with an auto tranny, but my 30 year old Zed still has the auto tranny it rolled off the assembly line with and in one specific respect, it is far superior to that of my 2004 model Ford Falcon Fairmont which is also fitted with an auto box.

Even when travelling down hill, if I lift my foot off the accelerator, the Zed will immediately begin to slow down under engine compression. Not so with my new Ford, it goes faster.

Surely engine compression assisted braking is a safety issue.

Any comments ????

Rick.

[260Zed]

I've found that with most new cars.

I'd imagine that manufacturers wouldn't look at it as a safety issue, but more as a ride/comfort issue. In the eyes of most people im sure that the lack of resistance when not on the pedal would be seen as a smooth ride.

But hey, im just guessing.

Luke

[Z Kid]

Just as a side note, in the new models of BMW it will maintain speed going down a hill, and if you are on a long descent and keep the foot on the brake, it will even drop it down a gear or two to give you that engine braking. I find it very disconcerting when you take your foot off the brake in a car going down a hill only to have the auto go up a gear or two and the car take off.

[sblake01]

Most of the newer cars (newer than a 1st gen Z) have 'overdrive' automatic transmissions of one form or another. Since the highest gear is higher (lower numerically) than 1-1, it will offer little or no resistance when coasting downhill unless the manufacturer has designed in something to address this as in the case of the above mentioned BMW.