If you put a manual trans. into neutral while going downhill, do you use any gas?

Question

I have a 2005 Jeep Rubicon 6 Speed. It has a VERY low gear ratio. If I take my foot off of the clutch in first gear (even second) and don't do anything, it will crawl without stalling. The point being, my Jeep, even in a low rev, is virtually impossible to stall, as long as it is moving.

Answer 1

yes you will be using gas

Answer 2

you will use the same amount, plus you will wear out your brakes faster.

Answer 3

Do you mean when the engine is running? If the engine is running, you are going to be using gas. You shouldnt use more gas than if you just take your foot off the accelerator, provided you are in a high gear.

Answer 4

In that case, you definitely save some gas.  Normally people accelerate and then coast then accelerate, etc.  That does NOT save fuel.

There is a possibility that while coasting, that your engine can die (form idling too low, etc.) and you can lose power steering and power brake.  That's why it is normally illegal to coast on neutral.

Good Luck...

Answer 5

First of all, note that the practice that you mention  is illegal in most states due to lack of engine braking or ability to use the engine and possibly some accessories in emergency situations.  But if you did, you would use as much fuel as if you were idling at a stoplight per hour, but the fact that you are moving will generate high mpg numbers- at idle at stop you get 0 mpg\ because you are not dividing any distance by the amount of fuel used.  Whether you have the transmission in neutral of in gear, you will use the same amount of fuel as long as you do not touch the accelerator.  But your mpg may briefly rise in neutral for the short period that you are coasting (maybe in the area of a tenth or two mile increase per gallon) as the transmission and engine braking will not be slowing you down and you will coast farther- unless you are going so fast that you need the brakes.  Then not only will you not get extra mileage, but you will use more brakes and wear them out or overheat them.

Answer 6

I started doing this 25 years ago, that lasted for a few months..

It is a bad idea for many reasons..

1. Engine could definitely stall and make you steering stiff.

     as well as your brakes.

2. You are going to be wearing out your brakes faster.

3. You will never keep a steady speed, you think so, but

    you won't.

4. That shifter assembly from the dash , right on down to the

      transmission was not designed for this purpose...

      ie.( a lock will only open and close just so many times)

5. The ball lies in your court but I think it's not a good idea at all...

Answer 7

Well you will always be burning a small amount of gas anytime the engine is running.  It takes gas just to crank it.  But you won't burn any unnecessary gas unless you put pressure on the gas pedal.