What Is Downshifting Used for?

What Is Downshifting? Manually downshifting an automatic transmission into a lower gear slows the vehicle. Lower gear ratios reduce the output speed of the transmission but increases torque, giving you better control of your vehicle under certain driving conditions.

What is the point in downshifting?

The purpose of "downshifting", or shifting the transmission down from a higher gear to a lower gear, is so that a driver can accelerate their car as fast as possible when exiting a corner that they had to slow down for.

What are two reasons for downshifting?

You can downshift for added control, for extra power when climbing long or steep hills, and to prevent wear on the brakes when going down long or steep hills.