General Driving Question - Es350

[DBinAL]

I have a general driving question. I currently have a 2010 ES350 and used to have a 2001 ES300. I live in an area
with plenty of small to steep hills and valleys. In order to save wear and tear on my brakes, I often shift from D to 4^th, 3^rd, and sometimes 2nd gear while traversing the hills. I was able to get 180,000 miles on my 2001 ES300 using this driving technique never having any transmission problems, and didn’t even change the transmission fluid.

Am I hurting the transmission by driving in this manner or should I continue this method?

[LexBob2]

I don't know about wear and tear on the transmission, but the old saying goes "it's cheaper to replace brakes than transmissions. Hopefully someone will weigh in on your question.

[13IS250C]

I was thinking the same thing LexBob, but I really don't see the harm in downshifting, especially if you have paddle shifters. I don't see where it would be any difference in downshifting for a hill or a tight curve.

I have the same situation on a piece of road I travel almost daily. It is a long slight decline in a 40 mph speed trap. I used to ride my brake all the way down till I figured that a ticket was probably a lot cheaper than a brake job.

[VBdenny]

Old country saying

Brakes pads are cheaper than transmissions.

[bigbill.32]

I have always did this with my 2007, put 180000 mi on it and never changed trans fluid and never had a trans problem.  just traded it in on a 2014 cpo.