On my way home everyday, there's this long stretch on the highway that is downhill. I usually cruise down that part at about 60-70 mph on Neutral. I figure i'm saving a little gas, but is it safe to do that??

 

You're not saving any real amount of gas, in fact you're using more by letting it idle (assuming a richer idle condition). If you take your foot off the gas completely and just coast in gear (a higher gear at that), you will use barely any gas at all.

I don't think leaving it in neutral has any detrimental effects on anything either.

The real safety aspect here is, if the car is in neutral, and you have to react to a bad situation ahead (meaning, you have to clutch in, put the car in gear, clutch out, apply gas) you would have been that much more ahead by already having the proper gear engaged and ready to go. It's scary to think about how many people do this with automatic transmissions. :shudder:

Beyond all of this is the fact that you may save, what, $0.00006 for every time that you do this procedure. That adds up to approximately $0 at the end of the year.

 

I don't see how it could be a bad thing just make sure you put it in the correct gear when continuing! I know that seems obvious but you don't want to over rev the engine

 

No, webguy is correct. It is a dangerous habit. You have less control of your car when you are in neutral.

 

Coasting in nuetral limits your contol over your automobile.

 

- I always cruise in neutral exiting freeways and approaching stoplights...

 

What ever happened to people learning how to heel-toe a proper downshift, or simply revmatching to ensure that proper gear selection for your speed?

 

- I do that too

 

I slip the car into neutral and coast up to stop signs, but not stop lights. The difference being that the stop light might change and then I would be out of gear, but I'm pretty sure the stop sign isn't going to change to a green "go" sign.

 

I've been a licensed driver for 24 years. In addition to a 5-ton, deuce-and-a-half, and HMMV license, I also held an endorsement for explosive ordinance. I've had a motorcycle endorsement since 1988(actually started riding dirt bikes at age 8). I have never seen nor heard of heel/toe until I purchased this car. So, my question is when did they START teaching heel-toe? And who is doing this teaching?


And no, you shouldn't cruise in neutral - safety. I cannot comment on the mechanical aspect.





Added: I know the importance of not cramming the car into a gear that it is not prepared for.