2007 Camry LE I4 auto engine braking

[lb2007cle]

I have read some threads about Camry engine braking but would like some opinions about what occurs with my car (2007 Camry LE I4 automatic). When the gas pedal is released the car slows down as if slight braking is being applied, until a downshift occurs when the car just coasts smoothly. This was observed in 3rd, 4th and 5th. This condition occurs most, but not all, of the time.
I measured the slowdown as follows - slowing down from 40 to 32 MPH took 7 seconds when the "engine braking" occurred and 30 seconds when it did not occur. This timing difference appears pretty dramatic to me. Again please note that after the car downshifts it coasts quite smoothly and does not appear to be slowing down much at all.

[touringcamry]

When you downshift, whether you do it or the car does it automatically, the rate of acceleration will increase because there is more resistance compared to a higher gear.

The difference you witnessed in acceleration times from 40 to 32 is due to mechanical advantage through gearing.

[workerant]

I still prefer it's more smoother..instead of slow slow and than drag and pull back and than let go.... all without touching the break.

[njerald]

Another over-analyzer is the OP and the previous post is more TTM77 gibberish.

[GT-R]

Here we go again............

[danorthface]

i think most older cars don't shift gears while you coast so it feels smoother. The problem is if you accelerate while coasting then you're in the wrong gear and the car will jerk.

[EvoFire]

Its because you touched the brakes and the car goes into engine braking mode. Maybe instead make sure you don't touch the brakes?

This has been beaten quite a few times... though I won't say to the death yet.

[danorthface]

you don't need to touch the brakes for the car to shift gears while coasting..

[EvoFire]

From my understanding, it doesn't shift unless you touch the brakes or it gets to a low enough speed. Perhaps my information is wrong as I haven't driven a Camry. That is certainly the case on the new RAV4's and Yaris.

[danorthface]

nope, i have a gen6. When coasting to a stop without touching brakes the car will shift gears to match a speed/gear ratio. It won't feel like a smooth coast.