The squeak on many cars can be fixed by using some water on the caliper[s].
I believe when you wash your car everyone should run some water through there calipers to wash the squeaks away.
The build up of brake material causes squeaking.
By the time you dry your car, and futs [sic] around with it. The brakes will be dry and ready to drive.
Don't be scared to put water on the caliper you won't hurt anything.
Remember putting water on your brakes is nothing compared to what driving through rain does to the brakes.
Braking-
One caveat to your down shifting post - avoid using the engine for a brake.
What's cheaper a set of brakes or an over rev'd motor. I am not saying don't go through the gears as you slow down, just don't use compression to help.
Scott
