Those flatlanders that ride my ass in the mountains, are usually sorry. As they have trouble maintaining control. I did have I a few weeks ago on a suspension completion test run. Guy stayed on my ass up Berthoud pass, not easy when I'm pushing it for the 500thr'd or so time over the divide. I final braked a slowed so he'd pass, in his sport cars. He was a local just bird dogging me for smokeys. I must admit, I sometimes do the same when I see a speeder.
Engine braking:
Just shift down transmission gears.
98-02 have overdrive button on shifter, press OD (OFF) and you see RPMs come up. That's where we first start slowing (engine braking). If you need to reduce speed more, drop transmission to "2". than "L" if needed. To really granny it down, stop and shift transfer case to "LOW".
In 03-07, OD off is when we move shift from "D" to the left, than "3", "2" or "1/L"
The owner's manual has each gears MPH range listed. If we shift lower than that gears range allows for. Transmission will not shift down, until MPH speed reduced. In those cases, often we must slow by braking until MPH mesh with transmission gear selected. At the point MPH slows enough for the transmission to engage the lower gear you've selected. You'll be lunged forward, like sudden braking. You'll see RPMs jump to near redline as this happens. This is from not planning ahead or emergency slowing. Which is find, as long as not in a high speed turn or on slippery/ice roads
Be warned, in turns, on ice or slippery condition. This sudden braking of transmission as speed drops and lower gear engages, can cause vehicle to skid in turn or on ice/slippery condition. It's all about proper planning ahead. In high speed turns/curves slow before turn. On icy condition, we do not want any moves, like sudden engine braking nore acceleration or heavy steering. So we must easy into gears at lower MPH, accelerate gently and turn easy (wide and slow)
I've a story posted somewhere in mud. How just back off accelerator pedal or touching it would put my 240Z into a slip. More than 30 to 40 vehicles in front of me, began spinning out of control on icy HWY I-70 eastbound out of Eisenhower tunnel. You could see vehicle after vehicle brake lights tap on, than they spun out of control. Not one vehicle in front of me made it through. Even just letting off gas pedal and they'd spin. Only about halve the vehicles following me, made it through the mass of spinning vehicles. IT WAS SO INTENSE!. Key was constant speed, and very light steering too lightly ver around on straightest line possible. No sudden moves!
Practice on dry condition first. Get the hang of it, before winter. Learn to plan ahead, so no need to touch brakes, or feel any forward lung as lower gear takes hold.
Me, I drive with right hand on the shifter most all the time. It's second nature to me, like driving a stick. I shift very often. Sometime in emergency braking, I'll shift down to slow faster.
Practice makes perfect.
