2.3l / 7sp engine braking (or the lack thereof)

3Dogs

I hope the Bronco’s brakes are oversized, because the engine braking of the 2.3l engine is insufficient. I tried to use 2nd gear to slow my descent down a not-too-steep hill, and the engine was unable to keep the Bronco from speeding up.

Are you talking on road or off road?

There is a hill decent feature on manual Broncos that helps a ton. Changes some of the engine parameters and utilizes the ABS system to control your speed down a hill.

But yeah, the 2.3L Bronco has a relatively small engine and the Bronco itself is a 5000+ lbs vehicle. Not a whole lot of engine compression to be had to slow down the vehicle.

Many variables: grade, gearing, speed, rpms… but the little motor can only be expected to do so much! It definitely helps, but hill descent or a few light brake squeezes may be needed…

TK1215

Are you talking on road or off road?

This was on a dirt road. I had the Bronco in 2H.

3Dogs

This was on a dirt road. I had the Bronco in 2H.

Hmmmm did you happen to try the manual shift with the toggle on the shift knob? Sorry my brain is locked into the automatic transmission.🤣

TK1215
Hmmmm did you happen to try the manual shift with the toggle on the shift knob?

He mentioned in the title it’s a manual transmission.

Or did you see it now that he edited it? 😂 sorry disregard

TK1215

Hmmmm did you happen to try the manual shift with the toggle on the shift knob?

dover157

He mentioned in the title it’s a manual transmission.

I edited🤣

TK1215
I edited🤣

And now so did I 😂

I haven’t tried downshifting on hills yet (only had it 2 days) but have noticed on flat land downshifting is not as helpful as I’m used to. Still a blast to drive and row through the gears though.

dover157

And now so did I 😂

I haven’t tried downshifting on hills yet (only had it 2 days) but have noticed on flat land downshifting is not as helpful as I’m used to. Still a blast to drive and row through the gears though.

Having driven manuals my whole life I never even thought of it being an issue. I downshift and I slow down. Has to be a combination of gears and the sheer weight of these beasts

I tend to engine brake with my 2.3 Manual, not saying I'll drop down immediately, but it does help, especially when you see the cop a mile or two down the road and wanna be cool, since they won't hear ya downshifting

Anyone know the flywheel weight though?