2011 automatic Scion tc engine brakes a lot.?

Question

My family recently bought the scion, and when I drive it and cruise around 20-30mph as the engine automatically shifts to a lower gear, it slows down as it does the shift and then goes faster after the shift-ergo engine braking (to an extent). I know engine braking is bad for the transmission err tranny, whatever the case. No automatic car I have driven has ever downshifted like that, that is to say the fact that I can feel the downshift in an automatic car. Or is it Scion's way of making its' driver feel like it's a legitimate sports car lol. (Even though it's everything but a sports car)-just looks like it, hey I don't complain when I pick girls in it.
Nonetheless, I'm just concerned as to how much of a threat does this pose to the longevity of the engine. When I was in the dealership with my mom, the salesmen even said that Scion was Toyota's way of attracting younger customers. As they get older, the main goal is for Scion customers to buy Toyota. 
So in that case, my theory is that the Scion that we currently own won't last even 10 years as hoped for.
Please note: I have no knowledge in cars. Except for the fact that consistent engine braking in a car is bad. I know long time owners of manual cars use a combination of both engine braking and the actual brakes, that is to say, use the brakes to slow the RPM's to make the downshift smoother and what not. Feel like teaching me something about cars? feel free, it wouldn't hurt to learn something new

ridingorracing · Accepted Answer

the car is less than 2 yrs old, take it to the dealer.
save yourself alot  of trouble.

Evelyn · Answer

What I think is that I won't touch one until all this is totally fixed. On certain 2009 and 2010 model year Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and 2008 and 2009 Scion xD vehicles all equipped with 1.8 liter engines, Toyota has determined that if the vehicle is operated in extremely low ambient temperatures, there is a possibility that condensed moisture from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) port may seep into the brake system vacuum port and freeze. Should this condition continue, ice may slowly accumulate at the brake system vacuum port and in the extreme case, ultimately plug the vacuum port. As a result of the accumulation of ice, power assist to the brakes would gradually decrease and lead to lengthened vehicle stopping distances.

unresolved_777 · Answer

I'm pretty sure that's normal.... The car is just downshifting to the desired gear for optimum rpm to match the speed. The rpms are just "bouncing" as it slows down to the appropriate gear change, it drops down a gear and (I don't know the shift points in a 6 speed tC auto tranny) but say for example its 2nd, it's dropping down to first, and first just requires a higher rpm, but it'll drop down... A transmission job is nothing more that slowing the engines speed because an engine turns to fast to deliver power to the wheels, so the transmission "purposly" slows down that speed to a sutable speed... By the way, my 05 tC downshifts the same way at 82,000 miles, never had any problems.

2011 automatic Scion tc engine brakes a lot.?

3 Answers