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So does putting your car in neutral at a red light save gas while iddling? Or is that just an old-wives tale???
I’m usually a gentle driver and am even more so know with sky high gas prices. MPG saving tips are welcome.
(my stratus does pretty well, last time I kept track in the spring it was getting near 26 mpg on the free way) — And I’m getting regular check ups now, I was lax on oil changes before but I’m trying to keep it on a regular cycle to keep it tuned better —-
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I don’t see how it would save any gas. And if it did It would save a very minimal amount.
Quote:I’ll make a special sticky thread about tips on how to save gas, thanks for the idea Yoda!Thanks sounds good
If it is an automatic, I would say it would save a tiny bit. The engine is basically an oil pump in an auto, and so when it is in “Drive” and you’re stationary it is still exerting a little force. That’s why you “creep” if you let go of the brakes. It is always exerting a little pressure, which is also why you won’t ever roll back down a hill in an auto. This all requires energy, which comes from your petrol. Therefore, disengaging the engine from the gearbox by putting it in neutral will save it from having to expend this energy and should save a little petrol.
Can anyone confirm that this common-sense view is correct?
Yup, It it’s an Auto it is.
The law says:
“An automatic vehicle may never be taken out of the driver’s control.) (When You Put In N it is in the engines control says some guy.)
If you have your foot off the gas, with an automatic in “D”, the engine is fighting against the brakes through the torque converter. The RPMs are low because of this – usually around 600.
With the transmission in “P” or “N” the engine is not under load, so the RPMs increase to about 1,000 or 1,100 RPM, but the fuel consumption is the same because you haven’t changed that by depressing the pedal. The pedal changes the spark timing by advancing it. It also gives a squirt of gas in a carbureted engine and the jets provide more to the throttle body, or it changes the duty cycle of the fuel injector in an injected engine. But without depressing the pedal, the engine may be running faster, but it’s no-load and using the same amount of gas as when it’s in “D”.
It’s a good practice in the summer when your engine is running hot because the increased RPMs with no load means the water pump is operating at a higher rate and cooling the engine better.
About the only thing you save is heat in the transmission by putting it in neutral, but that is probably offset by wear and tear on the linkages by constantly shifting it back and forth.
Better yet, buy a proper manual car! thumbsup.gif
Uuuugghhh – work of the devil! 😉
Quote:Better yet, buy a proper manual carNope, goes against my nature – I’m lazy remember?????
(automatic is so EASY )Auto is better… saves one hand for the women or choice beverages icon_cheesygrin.gif
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