Hyper Mileing

[Da Klugs]

Originally Posted by Langod

Be aware that coasting in neutral with most modern automatic transmission cars will actually hurt your mileage. (I don't know if this is true with maunal transmissions too) A modern automatic -- when you are coasting with your foot off the gas, will drop into a mode where it only fires cylinders frequently enough to keep the engine spinning, but while in neutral, it actually uses more gas because it's at a full idle. You can see it on some car's computers -- my wife's Subaru Legacy shows the mpg meter max out at 99.9 mpg (which means it's probably higher) while coasting in gear as opposed to about 65mpg on the same hill/speed while in neutral.

Noticed my Maxima seems to get better mileage in gear also. (tough to tell for real -- no computer display).

I just do it to save more gas money for my '03 SVT Cobra -- has a supercharged V8 that I've gotten down to 2mpg whilst "driving spiritedly". (it normally gets about 18-20mpg around town, though)

Have read the same things re neutral. Not the case on my Audi. Runs at 1100-1200 RPM while in gear and I think the AWD comes into play re the efficiency. In neutral, drops to 800 rpm. Huge difference in the Mpg and the "feel". Closest thing I can think of is my old 70's Saab with the "freewheel" option. Seems much less transmission drag is the difference coupled with the lower rpm.

Got 10.5 on the way to work. I was late and hittin it!