I do not think it's dangerous to coast downhill in neutral, (some people say you have better control and can hit the gas if necessary) but i drive a 4 cylinder and have very little power in 5th gear, if i wanted more, i would have to downshift, if i'm in neutral already, then I am half way there already. Gas mileage while coasting is dependant on terrain, if i travel on a rather hilly terrain, i would normally get around 32 mpg with no coasting, if i coast down hills, on the same road (say it is 50 miles) i get around 60 mpg. I don't get where people say there isn't much difference. My next question is, (well say i'm in 5th gear, going 60..and i'm getting ready to go down a hill, i let off the gas, and the moment i do this, i can pull the stick out of gear and into neutral and not have to put in the clutch, and it does this very smoothly, if the rpms are just right..but i still have to put the clutch in if going back into gear) is this bad on the clutch?
2007-05-28 09:53:27 · 5 answers · asked by Astroman 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
I drive a 1996 ford escort
1.9 Liter 4 cylinder 5 speed.
2007-05-28 10:09:42 · update #1
Since it's a pretty small car, it doesn't take a lot to stop it, i don't have ABS either.
2007-05-28 10:12:10 · update #2
1. Coasting down hills in neutral is not a good ideal, and is illegal in some places, it is very hard on the brakes and they may overheat and fail...
2. slipping into neutral under a no-load situation is not hard on the clutch at all, and should cause little wear on the trany.
2007-05-28 10:04:12 · answer #1 · answered by MC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In answer to your question, it's not bad for the clutch to "speed shift." The clutch is typically a disk that only wears when it's slipping-- like when you're engaging or disengaging it. If you don't press the clutch pedal, it doesn't wear. But speed shifting can be hard on the transmission if you don't have the speed just right (and the gears grind).
Something else to consider when coasting down hill, though: it's not just the ability to hit the accelerator that improves your safety. With the engine in gear, you can also use the weight of the engine to help you slow the car more quickly in an emergency. With the car in neutral, you only have the brakes to rely on.
2007-05-28 17:05:07 · answer #2 · answered by dj 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you drive the way I do, and most folks tell me it is wrong also... Over the past 200,000 or so miles, what I have noticed is LESS wear and tear on the clutch and better mpg than average, so maybe it is you and I, we are crazy.
The bit with the clutch, so long it comes out of gear easy it is ok, but I usually pull on the stick lightly and if it doesn't come out with a light pressure of the finger then I use the clutch, don't force it.
ALWAYS depress the pedal fully, as for coasting I find it is better to pull it out of gear for the duration vs. holding the pedal down for I sometimes tend to let up on the pedal over the distance.
I get the same figures... 25-28mpg's driving the way they say I should... 30-32mpg's doing it my way.
So, fie on them.
2007-05-28 17:01:05 · answer #3 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all hard on the clutch but it uses up the shifting syncronizers in the gear box. Just be aware your in neutral and be ready to reengage a lower gear if necessary but it sounds like you drive far ahead anyway. Your car must have a very tiny engine to make 60mpg.
2007-05-28 17:01:26 · answer #4 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only is it bad on the clutch it is dangerous. With the clutch engaged the compression of the cylinders save wear and tear on the brakes and you will have more control over the moving vehicle.
2007-05-28 17:00:34 · answer #5 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋