How do i effectively use engine braking?
 

Exactly what the title says. I know HOW to engine brake, but how do I do it effectively?

I'm not entirely sure what you're looking for here.

The only two times I ever do it is when I'm slowing and I expect to be accelerating again very shortly or when driving home from the mountains. Remember, brake pads are cheaper and easier to replace than a clutch... so don't over do it.

Like, I know to use engine braking when coming to a stop and stuff, but do I just downshift and let the clutch out and just use the engine to slow down? Do I brake at the same time? Do i downshift from fifth to fourth, engine brake, go to third, engine brake, go to second, etc. etc.

Every time you downshift and let off the clutch and let the engine slow you down. Your'e loading that engine and over time will cause unwanted wear and tear. I know this because I used this style of driving in my old nissan truck.

You should really only do it, like cre said if you are driving hard or going through mountains. The it' gets fun fun fun.

Don't use this method in daily driving. It shortens the power band over time as well.

The only time I've ever used engine braking was when one of my brake lines blew and I lost pedal pressure. It is bad for the clutch and puts unnecessary load on the engine. Just flip it into neutral and hit the brakes. But if you want to do it properly, downshift and just let off the clutch like you would when you start moving.

So the consensus is that it is better to just use your brakes? Prob. cheaper to replace than the other things that you would have to replace from engine braking.

Precisely. Stick with your brakes unless it really makes sense in the situation. Doing it all the time, while it may impress the local ricers and sound cool, is a bad habit.

Iv always used engine breaking. On my last 7 cars. 4 of them high performance. All of them stick. If you ask your father of grandfather he will tell you to engine break lol. If im not mistaken it does help clean your piston tops to a point?

LOL. My supra just parked in a parking lot impresses the local ricers. They come up to me and say "is that your supra?!?!" I say "Yup.." Then they ask "is it turbo?" I say "Yup..." Happens at least once every 2 days. Mostly kids with civics. All I say to them is, "wanna race for pinks?" And they reply, "no way man!!" Even this one kid with a B16A swap in his 91 hatchback. He spent like 4 grand on the swap and he still won't run it against me. Pathetic.....

If you know your car well enough, you can blip the throttle to rev match your enging and trans together. This way you won't cause any excessive wear. It also helps keep the back inline in a quick braking situation. I've had many sticks and always engine brake. My clutches lasted me forever. But there are other components to worry about, like your U-joints and bearings in the trans and other stuff like that.