Originally Posted by dwasifar

I have a manual trans now, but on my previous Accord I would sometimes manually downshift the auto trans for engine braking. I never saw a performance reason to do it though.

Engine braking is useful for those times when you need to slow down in a hurry without lighting up your brake lights and/or nosediving. Those times usually involve seeing a police officer you hadn't noticed; it makes you want to get your speed down closer to the number on the road signs without letting him see that you know you're guilty. I'll downshift and handbrake in that situation.