2nd gear not entirely in...

[kelvniii]

I've been engine braking and shifting through the gears when slowing


yup.. that is what i'm doing now... but not before~ LOL

[Funkdancer]

Isn't it better for the car to let the brake pads do the braking?

I'll put clutch in, do the braking, then a quick blip of the throttle with the right side of my foot before engaging 2nd (most commonly). 1st is typically hard to reach, but much easier than in the 02 Honda Civic I had before.