zlacker

Absolutely not the same thing.

> Brakes do not contact the tire. It reduces brake wear...

When braking you are basically limiting the tyre's rotation leveraging the tyre's stickiness to slow you down, and ultimately wearing it down. This is why where there is no abrasive surface under your car, i.e. snow, stopping down is harder. Or just accelerate to 100Kmh and then stomp on your brakes, then notice how they are all worn out where they contact the ground.

>>thefz+(OP)
Engine braking does the same thing. It just applies resistance by using the engine instead of by using the brakes. Whether the slowing force is transmitted by the axle or the brakes is irrelevant to tire wear.