hahah i never downshift when slowin down....i just cruise in 6th and then brake in neutral all the way to a stop...my brakes are still good...30k miles and my pad still look thick and full...yay

 

I don't think that the car burns more fuel while revving high if your foot is off the gas; I think the amount of fuel is controlled by the "accelerator" pedal. If there isn't sufficient fuel (or power) to maintain the current RPM's then engine will slow down. It will still fire at the higher RPM's, but high RPM's do not require lots of fuel if the load is light.

Cheers

 

why one doesnt by used

 

why
dont like to downshift

 

Downshifting will help tremendously during a must-brake situation, so again...downshifting isn't necessary but a good application to practice at all times.

 

I don't believe it's the technique taught in the UK to ever 'coast', as that means you don't have full control over the car - ie if you have to make an unexpected manouvre at any time during the deceleration process you can always get back on the throttle - in neutral there's always going to be a delay while you find a gear.

As for whether you should be downshifting or just staying in gear, there's a school of thought that says using engine braking causes greater wear on the engine and therefore it's better to wear out brake pads by braking in gear and not downshifting. This is what the advanced motorists institute teach I believe. On the track is different, of course.

I prefer to downshift, probably because it's more fun!

Coasting in neutral uses more fuel since the engine uses no fuel over a certain number of revs if the throttle isn't applied, whereas in neutral the engine is at idling speed, burning fuel. Just think how much fuel you could collectively all save if you stopped coasting in neutral - not a bad idea with the recent shortages

 

Sitting at a stop light with the clutch engaged is MORE dangerous than sitting in neutral. If you get hit from behind you might take your feet off the brake pedal and the car might accelerate forward. If you are in Neutral you'll just coast forward from the impact of the collision if your foot falls off the brake pedal.

Excessive clutch slippage, feathering, is bad, but a little can be good. This is about feeling. Most of the comments about quick clutch pedal release are related to trying to accelerate as fast as possible in a straight line, which is hard on synchros. At slower speeds and on curves, "feathering" is the only way to avoid wheel chirp which could cause oversteer.

 

Leezard, either driving school or a car with AT.