S80 - does it have gear-hold like the classic model?

[GrantA]

Originally Posted by TheJoyOfSix

This is, quite frankly, the biggest load of tosh out there regarding driving technique. Changing down and using engine braking does not put any strain on the gearbox or driveline provided the downchange is done properly. If the revs are brought up to match the roadspeed there is no stress on the gearbox or drivetrain, but since the demise of non-synchro gearboxes this technique has all but disappeared and certainly isn't taught any more.

Actually depends on how quickly you drop the clutch and how quickly you lift off the accelerator once you have chosen the lower gear, it does put strain on the gearbox and driveline by reversing the thrust on the drive train. Miss a gear, as can happen, and drop into 2nd instead of 4th and watch the engine and gearbox destroy themselves.

To my mind brakes are a last resort and so anything that can be done to keep them cool and in perfect working order should be used if possible. I want to know that if I make a mistake, or someone else makes one, and I need to slow suddenly that my brakes are capable of doing so.

Brakes should never be used only as a last resort they are fitted to the car to control the speed and to bring the car to an immediate halt in an emergency. Yes if you ride the brakes ALL the time they may heat up and may "fade" when you need them but modern brake materials on the discs as well as the pads are designed to withstand rough usage and heat. I drive an automatic car and the only way I can slow down is to press the brakes. Read the OP and you will see the original question:

"Just been for a drive with my IAM observer, and he asked if my car had the capability to hold its gear and utilize engine braking to keep its speed."

As with most, if not all automatic gearboxes, I have no way of using my gearbox to "engine brake" unless I am in hill descent mode and guess what....... hill descent automatically puts the brakes on if the set speed is exceeded.

Lastly if you drive a high performance car with ceramic brakes you need to get them hot before they reach their maximum efficiency - forget keeping brakes "cool" by not using them.