Rolling on neutral from any gear, downhill, etc.

**pop** · 16-10-2007 10:53 PM

I often put my car back into neutral when I'm going downhill, or when I'm a bit excessive over the speed limit; rather than breaking, I put it into neutral to slow down (most often done on freeways doing 100km/h+).

Bad habit?

**power_of_dreams** · 16-10-2007 11:09 PM

Meh, I do it all the time. Wear out your pads quicker, but pads are cheaper than petrol.

**blk_shadow** · 16-10-2007 11:32 PM

firstly, putting into neutral doesn't necessarily mean you're saving more fuel than in gear.
secondly, its dangerous to put in neutral when you're going downhill, over speed limit and so on. its slower to stop the car when something happens suddenly in front of you. ie. less control of your car

so to me, its a bad habbit.

**Mr_will** · 16-10-2007 11:40 PM

bah, when will people learn.

yes, its a bad habit.

it uses MORE fuel than leaving your car in gear.

people have this misconception that higher revs = more fuel. its just not correct - the load is what determines the amount of fuel going in. when in gear and decelerating, the injectors shut off as the momentum of the car keeps the engine turning whilst the clutch is engaged.

when the clutch is out, or the gearbox is in neutral, the car has to be kept at idle to avoid stalling, which obviously uses fuel.

as others have said, it also means you have less control. what about if you needed to accelerate suddenly?

**|N|** · 16-10-2007 11:41 PM

its a big no no

**Q_ball** · 16-10-2007 11:48 PM

Popping it into neutral is similar to clutching in during a corner....you just dont do it!
If anything was to happen which required you to slow or accelerate suddenly, you'd be screwed!

**TheFranchise** · 16-10-2007 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mr_will

when the clutch is out, or the gearbox is in neutral, the car has to be kept at idle to avoid stalling, which obviously uses fuel.

beat me to it!

**tinkerbell** · 16-10-2007 11:58 PM

it is also illegal - "not have proper control of vehicle"

**blk_shadow** · 17-10-2007 12:07 AM

even the law said, when you are stopping either on a red light or not. its best to put into first gear. just in case someone hit you from the back and doesn't let your car roll into the middle of the street.