I was driving my 4wd sidekick wagon in 2wd that is a 5 speed. I drove it like my honda with traffic keeping pace. I notice when I take corners and push the clutch in and shift to a lower gear or shift to nutral I chirp the inside rear tire as I turn. If I down shift before the turn and engine brake as turning I dont chirp the inside rear tire.
So looks like engine braking helps with maintaining traction, more even braking of the 4 wheels.
