Freewheeling?

[mdamatas]

Hey everyone... I have been reading some info about best practices when driving manual transmission and I was wondering if someone could help me out with one concern I have...

Since I started driving, I'm used to put the car in neutral when going downhills, and just use the brake when appropiate (or in case I need to accelerate, I just use the clutch, put an appropiate shift depending on the speed I currently have, and continue driving.)

A friend told me this may cause damage to the engine, but I read somewhere that this can be done with no problems, and then I read that this is illegal, and might affect the engine as well....

Which one is the correct theory? Thanks!

[kc5f]

Although I now have a CVT in my Versa, I put about 750k miles on cars with sticks doing just what you said. On the last two I put 220k on a Plymouth Sundance that surprised the shop even when I brought it in for 120k service, and 245k on a Ford Probe. None of my cars ever needed transmission work, either, so I'd say you're safe, IMO. (¡Que tengas buena suerte!)
Modified by kc5f at 7:57 AM 5/15/2009

[Papercarz]

I "Freewheel" also

or

I throw my 6sp MT in Neutral very often.

for going down hillsfor traffic slowing downfor saving gas!

lol i doubt theres anything wrong with it.

[biggie]

Could wear out the clutch a little faster, but should hurt the engine.

Can rev match when shifting from N to a gear. That would help help the clutch wear.

[marlin29311]

In various states this practice is deemed illegal - though I don't know how they could ever prove it.

[Ginsu]

In terms of safety, its frowned upon simply because your reaction time is now a half-second slower, you're one step more disconnected with the car and the road. That being said, you can still hit the brake just as fast in neutral as in gear, but nevertheless, I believe this is why its illegal. You're "supposed to" be alert at all times, hands at 10 and 2, eyes on the road not on your stereo, and don't be coasting around with your car out of gear.

I used to do it all the time in my truck too.

[marlin29311]

hands at 10 and 2

9 and 3

[superskunk]

if youre taking a driving test in cali, and you do this, they call it cruising in neutral, and they deduct points off of your total score... people used to trip out about how i drove MT, i never take the car out of gear.... even sitting in traffic i would stay in gear, i guess it was just peace of mind...

[mdamatas]

Thank you all for your comments... From what I've found on the Internet, I think the important thing would be to match revs when shifting from N to a gear (I think that's what biggie said as well)...

I'm not sure if that is illegal here though...

[roboturner]

I put 300K on a Chevy S-10 coasting down hills and up to stop lights, and I had that truck for 9 years with no engine or transmission problems ever.

You're fine.

[Andries]

I freewheel as well - don't see any real harm in doing so either

[roboturner]

12 and....down the front of my pants.

[azrael4h]

I've never bothered going down hill, but usually when coming to a stop sign or red light, I throw it in N, and let it roll. When stopped or the light changes I'll put it back in gear.

My Z has 173k, and I drove a Ford Ranger that only needed a clutch after 300k, so I don't think it'll damage anything. Probably wear on the clutch a bit more than normal, so I'd compensate by not dumping it on starts or riding it.

In TN, it IS illegal to be on the road and coasting in neutral.