(This might be a stupid question, but, bare with me)

Coasting down a hill at, say, 45, is it safe to switch into "manual mode" and downshift once or twice to assist in slowing down? I figure this might save wear-and-tear on the brake system, but am worried about it placing undue stress on the transmission...

Thanks,
e.

 

If it is a long hill you are using the best method. If you rode the brakes all the way down a long steep grade they would be white hot by the time you reached the bottom.