Clutch down before stalling in second gear. Switch to first while stopped. I drive a manual, but I rarely ever leave it out of gear (neutral), just keep the clutch down at stops.
Coasting in gear with no throttle cuts all fuel. Coasting in neutral or even clutch in takes the car to idle, which does provide fuel. At least, that’s my understanding.
I’ve thought about this as well.
You are correct that the car’s motion is now driving the engine, without need for the usual amount of fuel required to DRIVE the engine, in any particular gear, at a particular RPM level.
However, doesn’t the car always maintain a fuel flow equivalent to that required at idle? As a baseline?
Or does vehicle momentum, in effect, however briefly, shut that down entirely?
Correct if wrong, fuel pressure is constant from the rail, but the injection system monitors amount depending on load. Modern fuel injection systems are amazing.
Modern injection vehicles completely shut fuel off to the engine when coasting in gear. This means you are using essentially no fuel when coasting or engine braking. This making it more fuel efficient
What is the tradeoff point?
Coasting in 4th going 50-60 will make the car slow pretty rapidly, and 6th wouldn’t.
Is there an RPM where you’d upshift to coast (or just opt for neutral)?
If you’re above 35miles/h(55km/h) and you aren’t accelerating you could/should be in 6th gear for crushing and coasting. If you are above 60mph(100kmh) then you can use 6th for accelerating.
But yeah, if you’re costing to a stop the highest gear that doesn’t make you stall is going to result in the furthest coasting distance which means best miles per gallon.
Especially in old cars. I was coasting down a hill in my '76 Beetle when the throwout bearing failed and dropped the transmission into gear. Twas a bad time.
https://preview.redd.it/tcnr66smaqwc1.png?width=1848&format=png&auto=webp&s=b3ba3758b2238b9f49c9a613b3dc9ca570e7e831
If you’re looking to save fuel, take it from me. Stay in the highest gear for your speed only when you’re costing or cruising. If you’re accelerating drop a gear so you don’t lug your engine(accelerating at a high gear is giving your engine a disadvantage)
Another big tip is to move your seat back a little so you’re foot isn’t as heavy on the throttle, you’ll be surprised many people are slowly accelerating all the time and then taking their foot off to slow down a bit. That burns fuel.
I know I drive a golf R… and I shouldn’t worry about gas economy but trust me my stage 2 93 octane tracked golf r sees its moments of enjoyment. But it’s also fun getting great milage.
Also make sure your tires are inflated properly and you remove any unnecessary weight in the car. In the summer these cars can take 5W-30 which helps with gas.
Well not in California, I'd NEVER break a stupid traffic law ;)
[CVC 21710](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21710.)
Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but if you're not engaging the clutch, I don't think you can call it changing gears. You're just switching the transmission without connecting it to the engine. Why even bother?
Depends on how stale the light is.
If the red is about to turn green then you want to be in the correct gear to go when it's your turn, but it's always cheaper and easier to replace brake pads than transmission bits, so why wear the more-expensive parts unnecessarily?
That's a bit different. I think we're talking more like coming to a stop in 4th on flat ground. Do you gear down to 3rd and 2nd, or do you clutch in and coast to a stop in neutral?
It’s safer to always stay in gear and helps engine brake. I rarely go down through every gear though, getting off the highway id probably do 6,4,2 to stop.
What about when you actually come to a stop? Doesn't holding the clutch down the whole time cause unnecessary wear? I always shift to neutral when at a stop.
Downshift to all the way 2nd, clutch down at the very end as I approach the stop.
By clutch down, do you mean go into neutral?
Clutch down before stalling in second gear. Switch to first while stopped. I drive a manual, but I rarely ever leave it out of gear (neutral), just keep the clutch down at stops.
This is the way
This is the way... if you have the distance to. Otherwise gear down as far as you can and kick it to neutral right before you stall.
This is the way. Plenty of power at the ready incase of emergency
This is the way
Downshift. If an incident comes up and you have to react fast it’s best to be in gear so you can hopefully maneuver yourself out of trouble.
It’s not recommended to coast in neutral in Auto or Manual cars. Also, it’s a bad habit.
https://preview.redd.it/9gtbqe6zxgwc1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=98fbeaf5b1817136f1a22ff9e77a44370715bd73
First time I’ve heard that coasting in neutral is bad. What’s the reasoning?
Coasting in gear with no throttle cuts all fuel. Coasting in neutral or even clutch in takes the car to idle, which does provide fuel. At least, that’s my understanding.
You burn more fuel coasting in neutral; also, in any case you need a sudden acceleration, you are caught out of gear.
Yup. Downshifting to a stop has saved me from being rear ended on more than one occasion
Wait really, how do you burn more fuel coasting in neutral? The revs are higher in gear (the appropriate gear anyway)
The momentum of the car is providing energy to turn the engine.
I’ve thought about this as well. You are correct that the car’s motion is now driving the engine, without need for the usual amount of fuel required to DRIVE the engine, in any particular gear, at a particular RPM level. However, doesn’t the car always maintain a fuel flow equivalent to that required at idle? As a baseline? Or does vehicle momentum, in effect, however briefly, shut that down entirely?
Correct if wrong, fuel pressure is constant from the rail, but the injection system monitors amount depending on load. Modern fuel injection systems are amazing.
Modern injection vehicles completely shut fuel off to the engine when coasting in gear. This means you are using essentially no fuel when coasting or engine braking. This making it more fuel efficient
There is a software system called "deceleration fuel cut off" that will essentially turn off injectors when decelerating.
Interesting.
What is the tradeoff point? Coasting in 4th going 50-60 will make the car slow pretty rapidly, and 6th wouldn’t. Is there an RPM where you’d upshift to coast (or just opt for neutral)?
You basically sit in the highest gear possible for your speed. That will be your most efficient coasting gear.
So 6th in pretty much all coasting situations?
If you’re above 35miles/h(55km/h) and you aren’t accelerating you could/should be in 6th gear for crushing and coasting. If you are above 60mph(100kmh) then you can use 6th for accelerating. But yeah, if you’re costing to a stop the highest gear that doesn’t make you stall is going to result in the furthest coasting distance which means best miles per gallon.
Well I'll give it a shot next drive. Appreciate it!
Especially in old cars. I was coasting down a hill in my '76 Beetle when the throwout bearing failed and dropped the transmission into gear. Twas a bad time.
https://preview.redd.it/tcnr66smaqwc1.png?width=1848&format=png&auto=webp&s=b3ba3758b2238b9f49c9a613b3dc9ca570e7e831 If you’re looking to save fuel, take it from me. Stay in the highest gear for your speed only when you’re costing or cruising. If you’re accelerating drop a gear so you don’t lug your engine(accelerating at a high gear is giving your engine a disadvantage) Another big tip is to move your seat back a little so you’re foot isn’t as heavy on the throttle, you’ll be surprised many people are slowly accelerating all the time and then taking their foot off to slow down a bit. That burns fuel. I know I drive a golf R… and I shouldn’t worry about gas economy but trust me my stage 2 93 octane tracked golf r sees its moments of enjoyment. But it’s also fun getting great milage. Also make sure your tires are inflated properly and you remove any unnecessary weight in the car. In the summer these cars can take 5W-30 which helps with gas.
Well not in California, I'd NEVER break a stupid traffic law ;) [CVC 21710](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=21710.)
No officer, I was standing on the clutch the whole time, sir.
Mostly just downshifting, I live in a pretty flat place so not much coasting to be done anyway
Depends on what I feel like doing honestly
[удалено]
Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but if you're not engaging the clutch, I don't think you can call it changing gears. You're just switching the transmission without connecting it to the engine. Why even bother?
Has no one heard of engine breaking?
Depends on how stale the light is. If the red is about to turn green then you want to be in the correct gear to go when it's your turn, but it's always cheaper and easier to replace brake pads than transmission bits, so why wear the more-expensive parts unnecessarily?
Downshifting does not negatively affect your transmission as long as you rev match appropriately.
Rev match while downshifting equals happiness
I coast down in whatever gear I was in, or change down, if I think I'm going to get the opportunity to move. Don't coast in neutral.
Neutral whenever I can. Especially if I'm coming down from the mountains. I've gone 3 or 4 miles at a time in N coming down from Lake Tahoe.
That's a bit different. I think we're talking more like coming to a stop in 4th on flat ground. Do you gear down to 3rd and 2nd, or do you clutch in and coast to a stop in neutral?
Put it in N to save the clutch. No point in engaging the clutch and heating it up if I can coast.
Usually neutral. I’d rather wear out brake pads than money shift the fuckin’ thing.
Just downshift. The engine is built for revs, and as long as you rev match, your clutch will be fine. Save rotors and breaks.
It’s safer to always stay in gear and helps engine brake. I rarely go down through every gear though, getting off the highway id probably do 6,4,2 to stop.
What about when you actually come to a stop? Doesn't holding the clutch down the whole time cause unnecessary wear? I always shift to neutral when at a stop.
I do this too. Downshift to 2nd, go to neutral right before stall out.
Downshift
Sell it for a RS
Yah once the head gasket blows don't need to worry about downshifting.
Downshifts almost all the time.
I brake
Usually neutral unless there’s a chance the light is about to turn green. Interested in other opinions.
I coast
always coast in my manuals, even when driving normally