Harmful to downshift causing 4k rpm?

[fc321]

For extra credit and to try an advanced technique, try upsgifting without the clutch. I used to do it sometimes in my Mustang GT. If you hold the shifter with a bit of pressure against the next gear as you're accelerating it will slide right in when the gears match.

I have not tried with the mirage

I do that on my motorcycle but I was afraid that would be harmful for the Mirage? My motorcycle has a sequential 6 speed gearbox so when i am in gear 3 .. I am able to upshift to 4, 5 and 6 without using the clutch but I was not aware we could do the same on the Mirage without causing any gear-grinding or slippage.

I thank you all who have commented, your input has really put me on the right track because I am trying to save fuel and to extend the longevity of the car's components as far as possible. It sounds like I was making some mistakes, thank God it is only 15,300 miles on my car so far so I hope I have not caused too much damage with my misguided downshifts into 2nd gear to invoke engine braking. I have done that maybe 40 times total.

One last question. In the same scenario of travelling at 40 mph, If I see light changing to red up ahead is it wise to downshift to 3rd to slow the car down a bit? Or should I just stay in 4th and press the brakes?

[Pryme]

I do that on my motorcycle but I was afraid that would be harmful for the Mirage? My motorcycle has a sequential 6 speed gearbox so when i am in gear 3 .. I am able to upshift to 4, 5 and 6 without using the clutch but I was not aware we could do the same on the Mirage without causing any gear-grinding or slippage

The mirage has a synchronized transmission and as long as you dont try and ham fist it into the next gear, it can be done without a clutch. But in all honesty it's more of a party trick or emergency thing than something you would use normally.
You have to do what I said, very slowly and softly push the shifter towards the next gear and when you feel it hit a "wall" just keep slight pressure on it and when the revs fall to the right spot the shifter will push right into the next gear with no grinding

[Eggman]

One last question. In the same scenario of travelling at 40 mph, If I see light changing to red up ahead is it wise to downshift to 3rd to slow the car down a bit? Or should I just stay in 4th and press the brakes?

Just use your brakes. It'll be one less time stepping on your clutch pedal, one less time using your throwout bearing, and one less time slipping your clutch.

My 2 cents. Over time it adds up.

[Pryme]

Just use your brakes. It'll be one less time stepping on your clutch pedal, one less time using your throwout bearing, and one less time slipping your clutch.

My 2 cents. Over time it adds up.

Exactly. Like I said before, use brakes over clutch. One is much cheaper and easier to do than the other.

[Mechanic]

Loren,
. . . . I always downshift and rev match. I always want to be in gear so if someone does something stupid I can get out of the way. I was at a drag strip in CA and I blew a clutch at 11.5 K in my RX-3. I had just installed a new clutch the day before and this was the first time that I had taken it above 9 K. The disc came a part and balled up locking the clutch in the engaged position. I had to drive 150 miles without being able to disengage the clutch. The rev matching comes in real handy when that happens. I tried to catch the lights with out having to come to a stop but I didn't always succeed. Fortunately the engine would start even with the car in gear. Hard on the starter but it works.
GOD Bless and Thanks,
rich!