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  #1  
Old 11-18-2010, 12:58 AM
2010 2010 is offline
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Default ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...//??

TRUCK IS 2010 RANGER STICK SHIFT 4 CYL..


IS IT OK TO PUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL WHEN GOING ON LONG DOWNHILL DESCENTS?? WILL IT MESSUP OR OVERHEAT TRANSMISSION.
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  #2  
Old 11-18-2010, 01:10 AM
MooDib MooDib is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

Must be some pretty steep hills to be able to coast for long distances at highway speeds in a not very aerodynamic truck. Not sure if it will really hurt your transmission but why even take that chance for a few extra mpg?
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  #3  
Old 11-18-2010, 04:12 AM
Dantforth Dantforth is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

It will NOT hurt anything! It is no different than towing it in neutral. Manual says it's OK. Dave
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Old 11-18-2010, 05:33 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

You can. Shifting it back into gear while on the move at 65mph is probably not great for it. My question is why would you WANT to? It uses more gas and you have no control.
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  #5  
Old 12-01-2010, 06:55 PM
2002VertGT 2002VertGT is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

I did it in my manual neon all the time...both of them actually....never had any issue and one had over 100k....and how does coasting down hill use more gas???? 700rpm vs 3500rpm???? Really? Where's the math? And I was coasting down mountains in west va and VA....they have very long not too steep parts of highway where you can easily maintain speed with little taPs on the break....I used to drive a 79 BMW 320i down the highway clutch in clutch out and I got like 60mpg with that thing....just too much trouble to do it
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  #6  
Old 12-01-2010, 07:03 PM
ben10 ben10 is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

the computer reads that the motor isnt burning much gas since its not under load and cuts the fuel waaaaaay back since at that point the engine is being controlled by the transmission speed. as opposed to when the transmission is in neutral the engine needs more fuel to maintain the idle. we found this out in my buddies truck by experimenting with fuel mileage on his ultragauge. his fuel consumption was almost twice as high in neutral as it was in gear coasting down a long hill
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Old 12-01-2010, 07:09 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

It's harmless. There isn't really any advantage though. Other than it's cool to feel like your traveling for free.
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Old 12-01-2010, 08:25 PM
richarddhoward richarddhoward is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

Um common misconception, you should not do this! I don't care what past experience is, it does cause wear on your transmission. Plus what happens if you need to move quickly and all of a sudden you aren't in gear, or you accidently left it in third and you are doing 70? Possible failure! Also you can wear the bearings out faster in your transmission, the bearings are designed to be under load, doing 70 down hill in neutral will put a weird load on your transmission and can improperly lubricate your transmission.
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Old 12-05-2010, 10:55 PM
red_rider red_rider is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

I would think it would be kinda hard on your clutch to get it back in gear depending on how often you did it. But otherwise it probably wouldn't make a big difference. I'm a fan of engine braking anyways
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Old 12-06-2010, 05:38 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2002VertGT View Post
I did it in my manual neon all the time...both of them actually....never had any issue and one had over 100k....and how does coasting down hill use more gas???? 700rpm vs 3500rpm???? Really? Where's the math?
It has nothing to do with math. When the throttle is at idle and the RPM is staying above about 1500, the computer knows you're coasting down a hill of some sort and cuts off the fuel injection.

So, you can use math that doesn't add up and use more gas and have no control over the engine. Or you can use no gas and maintain control of the engine.
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  #11  
Old 12-06-2010, 08:45 AM
rwenzing rwenzing is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger View Post
It has nothing to do with math. When the throttle is at idle and the RPM is staying above about 1500, the computer knows you're coasting down a hill of some sort and cuts off the fuel injection.
This is true.

As long as you keep your foot out of it and the RPM is above the cutoff, you will use zero fuel downhill. Coasting in neutral uses fuel at the idle rate, so you can actually save fuel by coasting in gear.

In some states, or maybe all, it is illegal to coast downhill in neutral. I remember this question being on the California driver's license test. Check your laws.
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Old 12-06-2010, 11:14 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

It is illegal in CT as well. Probably a very common law in most states.
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  #13  
Old 12-06-2010, 11:57 AM
90fordranger 90fordranger is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

it wont hurt anything,i always coast in N. every now an then ill down shift but since ur talkin bout coasting. i alwas do. but on the highways here in nebraska theres hardly any hills.
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  #14  
Old 12-06-2010, 01:22 PM
terryduanemiller terryduanemiller is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

it will not hurt the trans, just return to the correct gear per mph.
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  #15  
Old 12-06-2010, 01:49 PM
bilko1 bilko1 is offline
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Default Re: ok to coast in Neutral on long downhill highways...

Quote:
Originally Posted by rwenzing View Post
This is true.



In some states, or maybe all, it is illegal to coast downhill in neutral. I remember this question being on the California driver's license test. Check your laws.
It is illegal in a big truck at all times. D.O.T. says "if you are not in gear, You are not in control of the veh."
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