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Dear advisor,

Using engine braking in a manual car is deemed a safe way to slow down and to avoid over-using the brakes. However, I wonder if engine braking leads to quite some wear and tear on engine components. If it does, would it then be better to use the brakes relatively more, since it seems that renewing brake pads / linings is less expensive than engine repairs e.g. piston ring replacement etc.?

Also, when the recommended tyre pressure is 210 kpa, is it alright to inflate to 220 kpa, to allow a longer time interval between inflating the tyres again?

Thanks.

Best regards,
Leo

It's best to use a combination of both. It's never advisable to use the engine only, as it places wear on numerous components, (engine, gearbox, clutch, driveshafts, CV joints ste). However, it's not advisable to completely coast to a stop using brakes only either, as you lose some control and can wear the brakes quicker.
For safety reasons and for the good of the car, the vehicle should be in a gear and rev range that still allows the driver to have control, but without over-revving which can occur if only the engine is used.
So coming to a gentle stop, braking lightly and changing down so that the car is in an appropriate rev range for the speed is the best option.
Regarding the tyre pressures, the difference between 210 kpa (approx 30.5 psi) and 220 kpa (approx 32 psi) is minimal, but the latter figure is a good pressure to use for most mainstream cars.