hitchup
Fulltiming in Madison, VA
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Joined: 02/17/2005
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I just heard about this returning on yesterday's news programs. Coasting to a stop in Neutral in an Automatic transmission is dangerous since most people can't think/move fast enough to put it back in gear if they had to accelerate quickly.
Unsafe
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There are easier and safer ways to increase your mileage...How to Save.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3....our custom home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
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RetiredbutWorking
Central Texas
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Joined: 02/10/2006
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I tell you what, that list of ways to save and increase your mileage was written by a frickin genius. The first thing on the list is to walk. It lists such brilliant ideas as move closer to your destination and buying gas on Wednesdays. The Internet is so full of useless BS that people read and post as gospel. Coasting maybe illegal in some states, but that is to protect the normal people from the short bus people. I coast when it makes sense to me, but would probably not coast down the side of MT Everest.
RBW
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SHADOWMCPD
NYC
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Joined: 06/10/2005
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Look at the bright side of this practice, slip up getting back in gear a couple of times and you can have the mechanic recover the sprinters transmissions teeth from the Trany pan and have them gold plated.
Afterwards you can have them put on a chain and give it as a gift and say it cost you thousands!
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GGup
SE, South Dakota
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Joined: 06/03/2003
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Sam's Garage...a radio program on vehicles had this as a topic. It was their opinion that with computers on the motors today that they actually use less fuel when slowing down than costing. The idle uses more gas than otherwise.
Autobahn....yes, it was great...but they have rules...loved it but we do not have those rules here. So...90 in a motor home...well...I will get out of the way and stay way back...I do not think I am smart or dumb as far as the autobahn thinking goes just different rules!
Some vehicles canNOT be towed...with all wheels down and that is what coasting ends up being after a longer distance. I had a 64 Olds that I had vapor lock in Colorado mtns. we "coasted" down the mtn. to get closer to a garage. Transmission NEVER worked right after that. Was not till years later that I read the instruction book which said...no towing with rear wheels down.
So...you decide...
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hitchup
Fulltiming in Madison, VA
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Joined: 02/17/2005
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RetiredbutWorking wrote:I tell you what, that list of ways to save and increase your mileage was written by a frickin genius. The first thing on the list is to walk. It lists such brilliant ideas as move closer to your destination ...
I didn't write the list, just wanted to share a few ideas without getting wordy in my post.
Funny you picked two that we do. I walk in the RVP since I have no vehicle. We always find an RVP as close to jobsite as possible. 
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juliev
Minnesota
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Joined: 07/29/2004
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The simplest way to save gas is to just slow down. If we drive 70 MPH in our Sprinter B (2004) we average about 21 MPG, at 55 MPH we'll get 23 MPG or better.
Since we are normally on vacation when we're driving our B's... what's the hurry? We just relax and enjoy the drive!
Julie
_____________________________________________________________________
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu
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kmessinger
Bay area but NOT San Francisco or Berkeley
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Joined: 01/13/2008
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The Scan gauge on my Sprinter shows just decelerating is better for fuel usage than coasting. Coasting continues to use fuel, although a small amount, while engine compression, I think, uses much less as the intake valves are closed.
Also, as I recall, oil pressure drops considerably when idling as opposed to compression as does vacuum which effects who-knows-what in today's engines.
AFAIK, no diesel truck drivers coast down hills. They just gear down to the appropriate RPM. It would be good to hear from someone knowledgeable about diesel engines.
Regards,
Keith
The excellent adventures of Keith and Debbie. Observations about life, at home and on the road in our 2008 Sportsmobile Sprinter.
(Warning: Occasional sharp turns to the right.)
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david_42
Oregon
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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One consideration, when the Sprinter's transmission is in neutral, the transmission control module cannot monitor transmission temperature. (Yes, I have the shop manual.)
Going downhill or rolling to a stop, 99% of diesel engines cut the fuel off. The Sprinter does exactly that. Even most gasoline engines will do the same at higher RPM. My 1989 Civic shut the injector off above 1400.
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weathershak
Delaware
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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RetiredbutWorking wrote:I tell you what, that list of ways to save and increase your mileage was written by a frickin genius. The first thing on the list is to walk. It lists such brilliant ideas as move closer to your destination and buying gas on Wednesdays. The Internet is so full of useless BS that people read and post as gospel. Coasting maybe illegal in some states, but that is to protect the normal people from the short bus people. I coast when it makes sense to me, but would probably not coast down the side of MT Everest.
SHORT BUS PEOPLE??? 
Don't like the view?? Then change it and Go Camping   
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Skid Row Joe
On the road in America
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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kmessinger wrote:The Scan gauge on my Sprinter shows just decelerating is better for fuel usage than coasting. Coasting continues to use fuel, although a small amount, while engine compression, I think, uses much less as the intake valves are closed. This makes sense until you learn that for engine to be running, it has to be firing to run. If the intake valves are closed, it wouldn't be running.
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
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