GasBuddy Blog

Message Forum - Read Message

Category: Fuel Economy > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Anyone shifting to neutral on downhill to save gas ?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Vibe03 Veteran Author Toronto Posts:466 Points:273,790 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jul 21, 2010 8:12:55 AM Ignore Vibe03 Report Abuse When it is not steep downhill and you don't need to brake the car to slow it down, coasting down around 55 mph at idling gives the engine a rest also save gas. Just not sure if the vacuum and other stuff are operating at normal level

Vibe03

Veteran Author
Toronto

Posts:466
Points:273,790
Joined:Aug 2007

Message Posted: Jul 21, 2010 8:12:55 AM

Ignore Vibe03 Report Abuse

When it is not steep downhill and you don't need to brake the car to slow it down, coasting down around 55 mph at idling gives the engine a rest also save gas. Just not sure if the vacuum and other stuff are operating at normal level

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,530 Points:1,149,525 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 11:00:57 PM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Nope
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,530 Points:1,149,525 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 11:00:50 PM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse No
DHIGAJ Rookie Author Toronto Posts:25 Points:721,300 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 10:20:26 PM Ignore DHIGAJ Report Abuse yes
Goose234 Rookie Author Ohio Posts:9 Points:17,910 Joined:May 2013	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 8:37:50 PM Ignore Goose234 Report Abuse Sometimes....depends on the hill.
d_clark Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,023 Points:402,205 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 5:14:00 PM Ignore d_clark Report Abuse no
asmith1138 Rookie Author Toledo Posts:5 Points:2,050 Joined:Jun 2013	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 1:44:29 PM Ignore asmith1138 Report Abuse Never
drgeeforce Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:39 Points:100,880 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 12:29:48 PM Ignore drgeeforce Report Abuse Coasting in neutral is frowned upon by the highway patrol, but not illegal. Hypermilers often coast in neutral and are easily spotted by their characteristic right lane, slowing, windows rolled up, sweaty, staring at the pavement driving style. Vacuum is less but it doesn't affect braking or the manifold pressure, power steering is unaffected, but shifting into gear while moving will wear out the clutch more because you can't match the flywheel speed to the transmission. [Edited by: drgeeforce at 6/19/2013 1:33:16 PM EST]
contiki Champion Author Ontario Posts:9,515 Points:589,915 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 8:48:25 AM Ignore contiki Report Abuse Never............
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2013 7:30:38 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,872 Points:459,225 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 8:50:57 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse No
contiki Champion Author Ontario Posts:9,515 Points:589,915 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 6:54:12 AM Ignore contiki Report Abuse Never........
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2013 6:52:58 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
jbh216 Veteran Author Reading Posts:311 Points:88,555 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2013 9:16:17 AM Ignore jbh216 Report Abuse Yes
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2013 8:30:16 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,123 Points:37,065 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 9:50:47 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse No hills lately, but several down-grades I was able to make 5 green lights with steady 40 mph.travel speed n.. cog, otherwise I would have had to stay on 1/8 Go pedal to travel that distance @ 1200 rpms. Also managed the next 3 red lights with-out braking, as they had traffic waiting which cleared before I reached those areas slowed but no stopping/braking. It's amazing how much fuel can be saved with a little careful attention to the forward windshield view concentration and right-foot control and never even glanced at the MPG indicator. Did refuel @ $3.54 gal. before ending shopping, needed 18 bell pepper plants, that was a bargain (less than $5.00 nice ones/good size. LOL
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:13,748 Points:2,535,005 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 8:23:44 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse No. I'm not that CHEAP. Or that foolish.
golfer7332 Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:207 Points:84,560 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 7:52:17 PM Ignore golfer7332 Report Abuse Drive a stick, save more in gear than not.
mac_dreidel Rookie Author California Posts:8 Points:8,095 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 10:20:37 AM Ignore mac_dreidel Report Abuse No, use your lower gears if you have to, that is much safer and reduces brake use.
dassfg Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:120 Points:566,600 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 10:15:48 AM Ignore dassfg Report Abuse no
cistech Rookie Author Massachusetts Posts:62 Points:272,425 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 8:10:44 AM Ignore cistech Report Abuse No.
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,081,505 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 8:03:39 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Reaching here? No.
dvc2 Champion Author Oakland Posts:1,016 Points:469,940 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2013 1:01:39 AM Ignore dvc2 Report Abuse Never
renegaudet Sophomore Author Houston Posts:133 Points:131,980 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2013 7:54:17 PM Ignore renegaudet Report Abuse No not worth it.
forresj Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,945 Points:570,955 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2013 8:18:58 AM Ignore forresj Report Abuse no, it will increase wear and tear on an automatic transmission. I just let the car coast.
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2013 7:10:24 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,872 Points:459,225 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 10, 2013 8:55:53 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse No
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 10, 2013 6:12:30 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
Arnsaks Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:201 Points:348,000 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 9, 2013 6:33:33 AM Ignore Arnsaks Report Abuse Not a good idea...hard on the clutch and equally tough on automatic transmission torque converters.
ronbo2010 Sophomore Author Los Angeles Posts:182 Points:20,755 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: Jun 9, 2013 2:56:47 AM Ignore ronbo2010 Report Abuse Why, unless you drive a stick shift?
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,378 Points:356,140 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 8, 2013 11:08:34 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse No
ace12012 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,805 Points:350,060 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2013 1:47:05 PM Ignore ace12012 Report Abuse no
diesel8888 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,309 Points:386,135 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jun 7, 2013 9:53:41 AM Ignore diesel8888 Report Abuse Yes but not all the time.
snirt Champion Author Anchorage Posts:1,039 Points:409,665 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 11:29:26 PM Ignore snirt Report Abuse haven't
MattGT500 Rookie Author Boston Posts:49 Points:18,235 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 4:18:02 PM Ignore MattGT500 Report Abuse Hell no!
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,872 Points:459,225 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 8:57:09 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse No
MTK143 Sophomore Author Pittsburgh Posts:167 Points:25,910 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 7:45:41 AM Ignore MTK143 Report Abuse I do but idk if it actually helps
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 6, 2013 7:30:41 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
GAJDHI Sophomore Author Montreal Posts:192 Points:1,227,300 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jun 3, 2013 7:36:58 PM Ignore GAJDHI Report Abuse Automatic
scottkunkel1 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:21 Points:17,255 Joined:May 2013	Message Posted: Jun 3, 2013 3:53:59 PM Ignore scottkunkel1 Report Abuse Does it save gas?
metalhat73 All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:725 Points:266,480 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 3, 2013 2:32:30 PM Ignore metalhat73 Report Abuse Driving a hybrid, it makes more sense for me to step off the accelerator to allow the generator make electric for the battery thus improving my mpg.
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 3, 2013 6:43:09 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
jbh216 Veteran Author Reading Posts:311 Points:88,555 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: Jun 1, 2013 10:53:20 AM Ignore jbh216 Report Abuse Yes
StArrow68 Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,397 Points:1,388,415 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Jun 1, 2013 8:52:51 AM Ignore StArrow68 Report Abuse As with most things it isn't dangerous for those that know what to do, is dangerous for those that don't and for a few inbetween it wouldn't work out since they think they know more than they really do.
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 1, 2013 8:36:41 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,384 Points:681,555 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 8:59:11 PM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse It is not a dangerous practice if you do it correctly but if you have an automatic trans and power steering and brakes it become complicate. I used to do this back in the gas rationing days with an old truck with man. trans, no power steering and no power brakes. I shift into neutral and shut off the engine and coast down to about 35 mph put it back in high gear and let out the clutch it would fire right up and I would climb the next hill. It was the only way to get more than 15 mpg with that thing. Back in the day this was called Mexican Overdrive....YEEEHAWWWWWW!!!
lyanMI Veteran Author Detroit Posts:350 Points:234,220 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 3:16:42 PM Ignore lyanMI Report Abuse I didn't do it. I will try once.
jack4141 Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,128 Points:722,200 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 9:38:20 AM Ignore jack4141 Report Abuse No
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 30, 2013 7:35:55 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 29, 2013 7:18:22 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no
b899 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:5,254 Points:1,604,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 28, 2013 6:42:33 AM Ignore b899 Report Abuse no