Bad Driving Habits (M/T)

Augustus

Here's my take on this...

A) When you're in gear but off the gas & decelerating, the fuel injectors supposedly close - so you're not using any gas. Coasting in neutral, you're still using gas to keep the engine running. At least, that's what I've always heard with modern engines.

B) Safety. The "real" reason. If you're coasting in neutral, you've lost the ability to quickly accelerate. Of course, hit the clutch, put it in gear, and take-off. But you would need a second or two to do this, and this could be the difference between an accident and just a close call. Put another way, by coasting in neutral, you're needlessly removing an option from your available escape routes should a situation arise.