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Coasting in gear v neutral ?


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Anonymous Poster

Feb 13, 2009, 1:13 PM

Post #1 of 11 (1661 views)
Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

just a general question, I drive dodge neon & it has a manual transmission. when you coast (and brake) while the gear is still engaged, can this result significant damage on your drivetrain over time? thus better to coast in neutral ....... or is the damage insignificant so that it is better to coast while in gear, and thus save on breaks?


Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 13, 2009, 1:43 PM

Post #2 of 11 (1658 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Subject to disagreement but I'd leave it in the correct gear for the speed of the vehicle vs shifting in and out of a gear all the time. Using engine as a braking force isn't really fuel or emission efficient and if driving properly for the conditions you shouldn't need to be overusing the brakes. My two cents,

T



Loren Champlain Sr
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Feb 13, 2009, 4:10 PM

Post #3 of 11 (1654 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Tom; Disagreement. SmileSmile I've always used the gears to decelerate. From the OLD school, I guess. Dad always taught me to do that to keep the brakes from overheating, ect. Also, never coast in neutral, as you lose engine control. Of, course, this was back before fully synchronized transmissions. (I'm really feeling old, right now). And, if you have twice pipes, sounds cool. (the little dinglie balls hanging from the windshield look cool, too). SlySlySly Having said that, my stick shift days are over.
Loren
SW Washington

(This post was edited by Loren Champlain Sr on Feb 13, 2009, 4:12 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 13, 2009, 6:08 PM

Post #4 of 11 (1647 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Like I said - subject to disagreement - no problem. I've owned my last standard shift anyhow so it isn't any issue of mine. There's a problem with emissions with downshifting as a brake with an overload of raw fuel which is compensated for now with yet more bullcrap controls to actually hold idle higher to cover up some.

MA and California have their heads up each other's butts with regulations and several models of things aren't available with std trans there or here because they just don't pass - they detune the engine some so if you instist on playing "Mario" behind the wheel you might have less HP with you!

Perhaps it's also because at the moment the vehicles I do drive all shift about exactly as I would have them if doing it manually so I'm pleased with that. If they didn't and couldn't be adjusted it would be another story,

T



Loren Champlain Sr
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Feb 13, 2009, 6:21 PM

Post #5 of 11 (1641 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Don't have any idea how many vehicles do this, but if I set my cruise to, say 65mph, going down a steep grade, it will shift down to keep the speed at 65. The first time it did it, I thought something was wrong. LOL.
Loren
SW Washington


sweet224
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Feb 14, 2009, 2:09 AM

Post #6 of 11 (1636 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In


In Reply To
just a general question, I drive dodge neon & it has a manual transmission. when you coast (and brake) while the gear is still engaged, can this result significant damage on your drivetrain over time? thus better to coast in neutral ....... or is the damage insignificant so that it is better to coast while in gear, and thus save on breaks?
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sorry dear i can't say anything i thing you would contact with any car showroom

sheenaSly

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(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Feb 14, 2009, 2:50 AM)


neetugarg37
New User

Feb 14, 2009, 3:23 AM

Post #7 of 11 (1625 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

For the subject of disagreement i want to say that i leave it on the correct gear that use in automobile and it also major the speed.
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neetu
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(This post was edited by DanD on Feb 14, 2009, 3:31 AM)


DanD
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Feb 14, 2009, 4:02 AM

Post #8 of 11 (1615 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Ok
I’ll add my 2 cents to this. LOL
Regardless of emissions or braking which defiantly are affected by coasting in neutral; the transmission could actually be damaged by very long coasting or towing.
Manual transmissions are lubricated by a splash method; they do not have a pressurized system for lubrication like an engine.
This splash method is accomplished by having the cluster (lower) shaft/gear rotating; which picks up the oil and splashes it on all other gears & bearings.
In neutral the cluster shaft (in most transmissions) is allowed to stay stationary; with it not rotating there’s no splash and no or very little lubrication getting to the other components.
Like I said long coasts or towing; coasting in neutral for a half block won’t hurt. But by why bother there’s more benefits leaving it the proper gear and then you’re also ready for your next get away from the corner. LOL

Dan.

Canadian "EH"






(This post was edited by DanD on Feb 14, 2009, 11:32 AM)


Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 14, 2009, 5:10 AM

Post #9 of 11 (1609 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Just to beat this up a little and some fun:



Spent a year in Denver, CO with one of these suckers (sunglasses were standard fare) and did my share of "mountain" driving. Once used 2nd for about what seemed like 50 miles coming out of the Rockies as brakes can get so hot they plain boil fluid or lose all friction from heat (fade) in all asbestos, all drum brakes of the era. By the end of that long run the engine having been the brake so long had sucked in so much oil thru valve guides it put out a cloud that must have eradicated mosquitoes for 1,000 miles in all directions!

Oddly - this car had a push/pull lever labelled "overdrive" which meant the engine would NOT act as a braking force no matter what gear you were in. ie: The engine wasn't truly overdrive but would only accelerate and coast when let off the gas. Can't do that all the way out of the mountains as you gain too much speed so need to share between engine and brakes.

Gotta laugh - it had nothing to do with what was good for the vehicle - it was a serious matter of being able to slow down or stop if needed and Colorado nicely had these long stretches (sides of highways) of golf ball sized stone pits with hay and foam/sand barriers if your brakes totally failed you could just steer into! What a hoot!

T



dmac0923
Enthusiast

Feb 14, 2009, 11:21 AM

Post #10 of 11 (1596 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In


In Reply To
Ok
I’ll add my 2 cents to this. LOL
Regardless of emissions or braking which defiantly are affected by coasting in neutral; the transmission cold actually be damaged by very long coasting or towing.
Manual transmissions are lubricated by a splash method; they do not have a pressurized system for lubrication like an engine.
This splash method is accomplished by having the cluster (lower) shaft/gear rotating; which picks up the oil and splashes it on all other gears & bearings.
In neutral the cluster shaft (in most transmissions) is allowed to stay stationary; with it not rotating there’s no splash and no or very little lubrication getting to the other components.
Like I said long coasts or towing; coasting in neutral for a half block won’t hurt. But by why bother there’s more benefits leaving it the proper gear and then you’re also ready for your next get away from the corner. LOL

Dan.



If I see a long down hill or i know ill be approaching a stop....ill usually knock my manual transmission out of gear into neutral..... The thought of lubrication never crossed my mind.....got me paranoid now.

i usually coast in neutral to save fuel....engine RPM drops down into the idle range of 950 instead of around 2000 if you were to keep it in gear
__________________________________________________
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2002 Ford Ranger
2004 Toyota Corolla
1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1


Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran / Moderator
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Feb 14, 2009, 11:55 AM

Post #11 of 11 (1590 views)
Re: Coasting in gear v neutral ? Sign In

Dan; I was told by a very reputable trans shop that RWD (and 4WD) Chrysler product automatics don't lubricate in Park.
They do in Neutral, though. So, now, in the mornings while I'm having my coffee and a cigarette, waiting for the snow and/or ice to melt, (because I'm too lazy to scrape the windshield) I leave the trans. in N. Same thing if I get caught in a traffic jam. Of course now with the price of gas, I'll shut off the engine.
Loren
SW Washington






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