Steve F. (and PChiu...Bless you!): good point: downshifting 'at speed' going downhill = NOT a good idea; synchromesh will get you there, but you're not being kind to your tranny. Signs at the TOP of the steeper hills in San Francisco warn motorists to use LOW gears, and most do the right thing by coming to a near-halt, THEN they shift down, and let the engine do most of the braking. On relatively flat ground, if you slow down heading toward a light, as mentioned, your 2uto trans has already downshifted for you...so why not snap that puppy into SECOND gear, you'll get a decidedly noticeable slow-down, Addictive? Not really..and don't do it on ice!...--PD.