A friend of mine suggested that I try treating my car as if it were a manual by utilizing neutral more often. For example, coasting while approaching a red light or going downhill, when you are at a red light, etc. I've tried it out for a couple of tanks and I've noticed a very interesting difference. I'm getting an extra 50-80 miles per tank. I'll take anything with the way gas prices are.

Thoughts, comments, etc??

 

Wow . . . That is quite a significant increase. Just be prepared to drop that baby back into drive on long downhill approaches . . . You may need to get back into power, as the situation dictates.

 

cool

 

I thought that was bad for your car when your just driving and all of a sudden you slap that baby on neutral

 

^just like g35cuzz said..i thought that as well....that putting the car into neutral while driving is harmful to the car

 

I don't see how 'blipping' it into neutral at low speeds as you prepare to stop hurts anything. If someone really knows, let us know!
You don't get much engine braking with an auto anyway, but you are going to get nada when you go into neutral. Maybe more brake wear?

 

I don't think it's bad for the car if you just stick it in nuetral. I think it's bad if you rev it past the speed you were going and drop it back into D it'd be bad.

Just like how some people launch.

 

I am a little worried about doing this. It may cause harm.

 

i'm pretty sure this will hurt your engine...idk if this will help but why not just switch to tiptronic and shift up into 5th gear

 

An extra '50 - 80' miles per tank means nothing unless we know what you were getting before...



What is your average MPG city/highway, and what kind of driver are you otherwise.

I average 18-20 MPG around town and between 24-27 on the highway. I'm very conservative about 95% of the time, and I doubt this would do me any good at all. I'm definitely not about to give up maneuverability and engine braking for the sake of 1 MPG.

If something comes up and I need to step on the gas, I want acceleration, not an over-rev.

 

Tiptronic only works if you have a Porsche.

 

I really don't see how it will make a noticeble difference, especially compared to the risk you are taking that that the potential loss of control you have in this case.

If you think that you are getting better mileage, then it may be because you are taking more care in your driving. Like the people who think they get better mileage with things like magnets around their fuel line.

 

But more care in your driving CAN improve mileage. Which I guess is what you meant. Besides, magnets add weight.

 

Not a good idea in my opinon. Flipping your car in and out of neutral while moving is not the best for the tranny. As others mentioned, there is no engine braking there is also a delay when you go back into D. If you accidentally rev before slapping it back into D - essentially a neutral dop, you run the risk of frying your gears. I wouldn't practice this technique bro.

 

lol well w/e i dont know what "ours" is named

but in the mean time i'll make it sound fancy