Good start for learning about hypermiling
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermiling

I never understand they say to brake softly to save gas. How does braking use gas? Or do they mean if you brake you will eventually have to accelerate again and that is where you use more gas?

Anyone?

I guess it means the less you slow down the less you have to speed up. For example, if your coming up on a red light, instead of speeding up to it and then hitting your brakes (slowing down a lot) and then immeadiatly taking off again, you slowly coast from a distance so that when it turns green youl still be going somewhat fast and not have to use as much gas to get up to speed. It will also save your brake pads.

I guess it means the less you slow down the less you have to speed up. For example, if your coming up on a red light, instead of speeding up to it and then hitting your brakes (slowing down a lot) and then immeadiatly taking off again, you slowly coast from a distance so that when it turns green youl still be going somewhat fast and not have to use as much gas to get up to speed. It will also save your brake pads.

Yah thats what I thought, it's not directly the brakes, it's accelerating again after using them.

The other downside I've read and it would be obvious to most people is that if you overinflate your tires, you will get uneven treadwear. So yes, you save money on gas, but what about tires...

The trick i used when i can is pop it into neutral when i am going down hill and can coast with out loseing speed or when coming up to a stoplight/sign. Just doing those things brought me from 26-28 in town to consistant 30-31mpg.

The trick i used when i can is pop it into neutral when i am going down hill and can coast with out loseing speed or when coming up to a stoplight/sign. Just doing those things brought me from 26-28 in town to consistant 30-31mpg.

putting it in neutral is worse than leaving it in gear. when you leave the car in gear and are off the gas you are getting better gas mileage than coasting in neutral. you got better gas mileage because you were trying to. and i guarantee that if you leave it in gear and coast, you will get even better mileage than you do now.

putting it in neutral is worse than leaving it in gear. when you leave the car in gear and are off the gas you are getting better gas mileage than coasting in neutral. you got better gas mileage because you were trying to. and i guarantee that if you leave it in gear and coast, you will get even better mileage than you do now.

Even though when i am coasting i am running about 500-1000 rpms less or more (depending if i am on highway or not). I doubt it, the only diff in my driving was the coasting, on acceleration i still drive it like i stole it

it's actually illegal in some states to coast in N on hills.. but the problem with this technique is the assholes behind you blowing their horn or arrogantly passing you cause your not getting to the light fast enough for them which really pisses me off...

putting it in neutral is worse than leaving it in gear. when you leave the car in gear and are off the gas you are getting better gas mileage than coasting in neutral. you got better gas mileage because you were trying to. and i guarantee that if you leave it in gear and coast, you will get even better mileage than you do now.

Depends on the situation Kev


Injectors only close coming from a higher rev range so say you are revving down from 3k, yeah, until about 1.5k the inj open again.

Then you pop it into neutral.

Mix of both FTW

but the problem with this technique is the assholes behind you blowing their horn or arrogantly passing you cause your not getting to the light fast enough for them which really pisses me off...

who cares if they pass you, it's there problem not yours

it's dangerous cause at first they tail gate you like no tomorrow

:rolleyes:

Let them hit you, :lol: let them pass you.

Or ifyou are that worried about it, don't coast down a hill in neutral

dangerous for them...

*keeps his mouth shut about a certain member*

Some good ideas for sure tho, but nothing really new. More common sense than anything.

its pretty easy to get good milage. but the people that shut off there cars when driving are nothing more the grade A dumbass. When a 2.2L cobalt or a Fit or any other small car can be driven to near hybrid levels then something is wrong.


there are the standard ways to save gas, drive slower, keep your speed (stop less), check your PSI in your tires, remove the "junk in the trunk", don't run A/C unless you HAVE to, keep windows up or crack them when driving, etc. etc. Then there are the "frog hairs" and extremes, getting a thinner oil, narrow tires, replace glass, carbon fiber bits, lighter wheels, lowering, tape the joints of the car/make it slicker, keep the car clean and smooth, ECU work, intake and exhaust, etc. etc.

I never understand they say to brake softly to save gas. How does braking use gas? Or do they mean if you brake you will eventually have to accelerate again and that is where you use more gas?

Anyone?

The braking isn't saving the fuel, its the not hitting the gas thats saving fuel. Basically people that fly up to lights then slam on the brakes will be using more fuel than people coasting up to lights. As an added effect by coasting a lot of time by the time you get to the light it will be green again and you won't have to stop then accelerate again.

Basically just conserve your kinetic energy as much as possible to obtain higher energy efficiency.

:rolleyes:

Let them hit you, :lol: let them pass you.

Or ifyou are that worried about it, don't coast down a hill in neutral

i never coast down a hill in neutral and why would i want them to hit me and ruin my bumper???

Even though when i am coasting i am running about 500-1000 rpms less or more (depending if i am on highway or not). I doubt it, the only diff in my driving was the coasting, on acceleration i still drive it like i stole it

You get better gas mileage when coasting IN gear then when in Nuetral. While in gear your car will actually shut off the injectors and use kinetic energy to keep the car running. When you put the car in Nuetral the car has to keep the injectors flowing so the car doesn't die. Fuel cutoff settings for the coblat are I believe: Fuel cutoff turns on at above 36 mph and 1750 rpms (which means fuel cut off will be enabled if you take your foot off the gas. Have you ever noticed that when you take your foot off the gas the car kind of jerks? This is fuel cut off at work.) and turns off (injectors start flowing again) at under 18 mph and under 1250 rpms. Those might be a little off I would have to check the setting in HPTuners again to verify, but they are close enough.

it's actually illegal in some states to coast in N on hills.. but the problem with this technique is the assholes behind you blowing their horn or arrogantly passing you cause your not getting to the light fast enough for them which really pisses me off...

You have to understand when i do this i mean on a hill or i am usually over the speed limit anyways :lol: I don't hold up traffic because nothing gets my blood boiling quicker than some asshole going under the speed limit, especially in the fast lane or when you get 2 side by side:cussing: The places i do it you usually accelerate when in N cuz of the down hill anyways. How are the cops going to tell if i am in Neutral or gear? I have a 5 speed and my windows are tinted, there is no way they can tell.

neutral costing is retarded, dangerous, stupid, not to mention illegal in many places.

it also uses MORE gas than downshifting properly

whoever taught you to do it, please slap them in the head.


if you dont believe me, google something called "Decelleration Fuel Cut Off"

neutral costing is retarded, dangerous, stupid, not to mention illegal in many places.

it also uses MORE gas than downshifting properly

whoever taught you to do it, please slap them in the head.


if you dont believe me, google something called "Decelleration Fuel Cut Off"

How is it dangerous?

How is it dangerous?

If you car was to slip into gear by accident..

If you car was to slip into gear by accident..

? How is that going to happen? I have a manual, its not like the shifter can just be bumped into Reverse.

Anyways i just research some of this stuff, i guess i will go back to what i was doing (not coasting or anything) and see if there is a difference.

neutral costing is retarded, dangerous, stupid, not to mention illegal in many places.

don't you mean "shutting off engine while running"?

neutral still has your engine running so you still have steering and brakes, no real difference than when in gear

no. neutral costing.
whatever.
you kids know best. im sick of arguing this one over and over. its been done many times.
whoever taught all you kids to drive should be ashamed.
fucking pathetic.

don't you mean "shutting off engine while running"?

neutral still has your engine running so you still have steering and brakes, no real difference than when in gear

no offense but i will never take advice from u :lol::lol::lol::lol:

don't you mean "shutting off engine while running"?

neutral still has your engine running so you still have steering and brakes, no real difference than when in gear

Thats what i was thinking, unless he is talking about cornering? Idk i always have it in gear way before a corner or anything comes up anyways.

An0malous is right... in some provinces and states it is actually illegal to coast while on a public road. The safety hazard arises due to the fact that you can't accelerate as quickly if your vehicle isn't in gear.
Really, there isn't a way to enforce the law... but you will get failed on a drivers exam for doing it.

An0malous is right... in some provinces and states it is actually illegal to coast while on a public road. The safety hazard arises due to the fact that you can't accelerate as quickly if your vehicle isn't in gear.
Really, there isn't a way to enforce the law... but you will get failed on a drivers exam for doing it.

Thank you omega, i really didn't know what the problem with it was, An0malous was too busy putting people down and being a dick to just say why it is bad.

whatever

whatever

I wasn't trying to argue with you (if you are referring to me) i was seriously just trying to figure out why it was so bad is all.

wow i neutral coast like a mad man :thumbsdow ...im gonna try this leaving it in gear biz

neutral costing is retarded, dangerous, stupid, not to mention illegal in many places.

it also uses MORE gas than downshifting properly

whoever taught you to do it, please slap them in the head.


if you dont believe me, google something called "Decelleration Fuel Cut Off"


isnt that enough reasons?

guys seriously, the only reason you are doing it is because some idiot convinced you it uses less gas.
trust me, it uses MORE gas than decellerating in gear.

so if that reason is gone, why do it at all?

then you wont have to worry about the other reasons, like excess brake wear, severly increased braking distance, lack of transmission control, emergency reactions impaired, illegal......


and my apologies if im snappy, but ive hashed this one out a good 4 or 5 times on this board,
and the lack of proper driver training makes me sick sometimes. the fact that SO many people think neutral coasting is fine, is just very very frustrating

As soon as you bring up the brake life argument to people, I always get an earful saying, "What's cheaper, brakes or a clutch"?

I always laugh at that statement. If you know how to properly downshift, rev match, and time it right, there really shouldn't be any adverse wear on the clutch. But most people couldn't downshift to save their lives, actually, most people can upshift worth a damn either.

All everybody wants these days is a manual transmission, but how many of them go out and learn the proper way to drive one. I've gotten to the point where I don't let anyone drive my car anymore. Too many times I've heard, "Yeah, I know how to drive stick, don't worry", only to have my clutch and motor mounts be brutally assaulted for some miles.

Simply because you can "operate" a manual transmission, doesn't mean you know how to drive a manual. There is a difference. You know, the difference between people who downshift and let the synchros do the rev-match, and those who can blip the throttle and time it so perfectly, you don't feel the shift at all.

Either way, I always downshift when slowing down. And if you don't think it saves fuel, just bring up the DIC on Fuel Economy mode, and watch how your mileage improves as your slowing down in gear. Plus, why would I want to coast? It's dangerous. What if you have to get back on the gas suddenly, to avoid something? With it in gear, I can simply accelerate away from danger. With it out of gear, I've got to rev up the engine, clutch in, gear select, clutch out...sorry, just too many unnecessary steps that are pointless if you drive it properly.

But to each their own, I could honestly care less anymore. I just laugh when I hear about blown synchronizers and stripped clutches :)

well you guys can't get pissed, just keep spreading the word. Me and friends had always figured coasting in neutral saved gas, i had no idea leaving it in gear actually saved more. Looks like i have a nasty habit to break

no. neutral costing.
whatever.
you kids know best. im sick of arguing this one over and over. its been done many times.
whoever taught all you kids to drive should be ashamed.
fucking pathetic.

Man, who pisses in your cheerios every day?

I was asking because I have heard MANY times of hyper millers actually SHUTTING THEIR CARS OFF WHILE COASTING. Now that is truly dangerous because their goes the brakes/power steering. In just neutral you still have the above.

no offense but i will never take advice from u :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Thats all fine and dandy, if you were unable to realize the 'reverse' thread was a joke thats your problem.

I tend to drive in town like a truck driver would. I learned a lot when i got my cdl. Mostly because a truck wont stop of accelerate like a car. But using the same principals keeps fuel consumption in your car down. Read your upcomming lights. If its just gone green dont worry about slowing down or speeding up. If its been green for a while then you know your going to have to stop. So instead of maintaining speed, start coasting. Its going to save your brakes, plus, if you realize at a far enough distance, you wont have to stop at all. I accelerate slowly. Trying to stay out of boost. Saves gas again. On the highway, Set the cruise. I try to keep at 70. Otherwise around here you just get run down. That being said, ive followed the boss in his dump truck, and was getting roughly 40mpg at 55-60.

Coasting, you want to do it in gear period. Your not saving any gas. Plus ive always been told that keeping it in gear is nessecary because it acts as a brake. This helps maintain control of the vehicle, plus saves on brakes

well you guys can't get pissed, just keep spreading the word. Me and friends had always figured coasting in neutral saved gas, i had no idea leaving it in gear actually saved more. Looks like i have a nasty habit to break

I don't remember where i heard it but i figured the same, i didn't know injectors shut off when going down hill in gear, i am new to fuel injection and never cared with anything else (my mustang sucks gas no matter what, so i never coast in it). People here that posted info convinced me not to anymore, for me its not really a habit so i won't do it anymore.

Heres my question after reading this thread. If i am in 5th gear going 60mph and there is a stop sign ahead. Is it ok to press in the clutch, put it into neutral, and coast/apply the brakes to get to the stop sign. Then go from there.

I would think this would be better for the car then going from 5th to 4th to 3rd to 2nd to 1st to a stop.

If I have learned wrong, PLEASE let me know now. I am only talking about when coming up to a stop sign, not while driving on the roads, or in town or anything of the such, just 5th gear to neutral to the stop sign.

Is that bad?

if you read your manual which came with the car when you purchased the vehicle, and actually read it. You would have noticed that it tells you not to put the car in neutral when slowing down, but to keep it in the gear you are currently in, and when you are just about to stop to then put it into neutral...

you can downshift aswell, but this is the first car i have owned that is manual, so ill jsut follow what the manual told me.

Heres my question after reading this thread. If i am in 5th gear going 60mph and there is a stop sign ahead. Is it ok to press in the clutch, put it into neutral, and coast/apply the brakes to get to the stop sign. Then go from there.

I would think this would be better for the car then going from 5th to 4th to 3rd to 2nd to 1st to a stop.

If I have learned wrong, PLEASE let me know now. I am only talking about when coming up to a stop sign, not while driving on the roads, or in town or anything of the such, just 5th gear to neutral to the stop sign.

Is that bad?

you have learned wrong.

downshift and revmatch and you will use LESS gas than neutral coasting,
you will also be in far better control of your vehicle, cause far less wear and tear on your brakes, not to mention youll be doing what your driving manual told you to do...

(P.S, you dont have to go 5,4,3,2,1....most of the time you will downshift through 4th quickly and then to 3rd, and let 3rd gear bleed off most of your speed, then shift to 2nd as you get close to the stopsign, then once you stop, go to first gear)

Exactly...there is rarely, if ever, a reason to *downshift* into first.

This stuff is true, on my trip today, i slowed down and i didn't neutral coast at all...balt got 42.655mpg when calculating it out and 43.6 according to the DIC WOOT! :lol:

The real hypermilers don't coast in neutral - they do it with the engine OFF (well, I suppose its still in neutral), which IS unsafe and illegal. If the red light ahead of them turns green, they pop the clutch and re-start the car. They also roll through stop signs or attempt to roll for miles without accelerating no matter how far below the speed limit they are.

Keep in mind, coasting with the engine off, the car looses its power steering and brakes (that's why its dangerous). That doesn't matter to hypermiling zealots, since they tend to use crappy lightweight cars like Geo Metros WITHOUT power brakes and steering so the unsafe part of it is more or less cancelled out. However, try it with a regular car and you'll likely hit someone at 40MPH because you'll have almost no brakes.

I like the idea of a fuel-efficiency forum here, but I still think the avid hypermilers are nutjobs who are embracing this as the latest "green" trend of the minute. The basic principles make sense - gas and brake gently, don't jackrabbit the car when the light turns green, etc - but the engine-off, going way under the speed limit and blowing stop signs stuff is stupid.

i coast down hills in neautral all the time. and you know what i dont give a fuck what the law says or what anyone else thinks driving near me. how are you going to know what fucking gear im in?

i coast down hills in neautral all the time. and you know what i dont give a fuck what the law says or what anyone else thinks driving near me. how are you going to know what fucking gear im in?

who shit in your cornflakes.

go learn how to drive.

lol fuck no i dont learn shit... ps wow i must have had svs last night

i coast down hills in neautral all the time. and you know what i dont give a fuck what the law says or what anyone else thinks driving near me. how are you going to know what fucking gear im in?

in your opinin, what's the benefit of coasting down a hill in neutral?

in your opinin, what's the benefit of coasting down a hill in neutral?

thats a loaded question *grin*
cant wait to see the answer. :D

thats a loaded question *grin*
cant wait to see the answer. :D

:lol: me too.

don't really see a benefit either way to be honest. Just because someone says doing it increases mileage doesn't mean it does. And same argument for the other side just because someone says it decreases mileage doesn't mean it does either. While I'm sure if someone scientifically tested to see which one was better/worse it would be similar for most cars but alot of variables also come into play.

the answer is you can go down the hill, revving the shit out of your car to make yourself look cool

yup thats it... its because i envy all the honda owners who rev high and dont go anywhere. if u beat em then u gotta rev high in neutral to join em

the answer is you can go down the hill, revving the shit out of your car to make yourself look cool

No you push in the clutch in gear, cuz you can only rev to 4k in neutral, duh :rolleyes: :lol: j/k j/k

lol i can rev to 7k

if you have a wideband or an interceptor, you can see it proven right in front of you.

when you downshift and use engine braking, your wideband will instantly peg completely lean,
so lean that it wont even show numbers, just ---
thats because the car isnt injecting any fuel during decelleration fuel cutoff.

now, if you neutral cost, the car has to idle....so your wideband will keep a nice little 14.7 stoich level.

the same thing can be seen by watching your injector stats on an interceptor.

don't really see a benefit either way to be honest. Just because someone says doing it increases mileage doesn't mean it does. And same argument for the other side just because someone says it decreases mileage doesn't mean it does either. While I'm sure if someone scientifically tested to see which one was better/worse it would be similar for most cars but alot of variables also come into play.

you're SURE? well you're clearly wrong, and also have no idea how your car works, otherwise you wouldn't be sure. here's a big eye opener, fight it all you want, but you don't know how to drive a manual car.

if you have a wideband or an interceptor, you can see it proven right in front of you.

when you downshift and use engine braking, your wideband will instantly peg completely lean,
so lean that it wont even show numbers, just ---
thats because the car isnt injecting any fuel during decelleration fuel cutoff.

now, if you neutral cost, the car has to idle....so your wideband will keep a nice little 14.7 stoich level.

the same thing can be seen by watching your injector stats on an interceptor.

we'll never get people to understand how it works. it's quite sad. tell people they're doing something wrong, and they call you an asshole and tell you that you don't know what you're talking about. it's crazy how many people have no idea how to drive a manual. but they probably think they're awesome drivers.

if you have a wideband or an interceptor, you can see it proven right in front of you.

when you downshift and use engine braking, your wideband will instantly peg completely lean,
so lean that it wont even show numbers, just ---
thats because the car isnt injecting any fuel during decelleration fuel cutoff.

now, if you neutral cost, the car has to idle....so your wideband will keep a nice little 14.7 stoich level.

the same thing can be seen by watching your injector stats on an interceptor.

and thats what should have been post number 3 right after the question on which was better. :twothumbs

you're SURE? well you're clearly wrong, and also have no idea how your car works, otherwise you wouldn't be sure. here's a big eye opener, fight it all you want, but you don't know how to drive a manual car.



we'll never get people to understand how it works. it's quite sad. tell people they're doing something wrong, and they call you an asshole and tell you that you don't know what you're talking about. it's crazy how many people have no idea how to drive a manual. but they probably think they're awesome drivers.

no im not sure but i never asked the question. I just responded in a rude manner after a page worth of bullshit. What is sad is what this site has become. dont get me wrong im not trying to call you out but theres alot of very knowledgeable people here and alot of people really have alot to learn in general (myself included i dont know shit about performance) BUT anytime anyone gets the balls to ask something everyone and their mom spends forever flamming or just bullshitting.

and thats what should have been post number 3 right after the question on which was better. :twothumbs



no im not sure but i never asked the question. I just responded in a rude manner after a page worth of bullshit. What is sad is what this site has become. dont get me wrong im not trying to call you out but theres alot of very knowledgeable people here and alot of people really have alot to learn in general (myself included i dont know shit about performance) BUT anytime anyone gets the balls to ask something everyone and their mom spends forever flamming or just bullshitting.

i talk shit sometimes, but i also help out alot of members here. i've done installs for shitloads of local members, enver ask for anything in return. my pm box is full of people asking questions. i responded to you the way you did because you sounded like a dick in your first response. otherwise i wouldn't have said it the way i did. so don't lump me into the people that do nothing but flame.

and thats what should have been post number 3 right after the question on which was better. :twothumbs



no im not sure but i never asked the question. I just responded in a rude manner after a page worth of bullshit. What is sad is what this site has become. dont get me wrong im not trying to call you out but theres alot of very knowledgeable people here and alot of people really have alot to learn in general (myself included i dont know shit about performance) BUT anytime anyone gets the balls to ask something everyone and their mom spends forever flamming or just bullshitting.

the problem is, there are some clever ass kids, who think they know it all,
and when you try and teach them, all you cop is attitude, and smartass remarks.
kinda what many have posted in this thread.

After you see that about 748 times, you begin to be a little more abrupt with your "help"
tell them what they should do, and if not, they can go fuck themselves.
Deal with it.
you kids want people with all the knowledge to try and help you,
but you arent humble enough to swallow your pride and learn.

btw, here was my first post in the thread

"it also uses MORE gas than downshifting properly

whoever taught you to do it, please slap them in the head.


if you dont believe me, google something called "Decelleration Fuel Cut Off"

if any one of the clever dicks in this thread actually googled decelleration fuel cut off,
they would quickly have seen for themselves exactly whats going on.
but no, they would rather question the advice we try to give, without even looking at the advice in the first place.

So you see, its not that the knowledgable people dont want to help people....
but when your thanks is usually a slap in the face, and pathetic illogical arguments,
it becomes tired and boring.
and in the end, people dont wanna waste their time.

no im not saying you you were helpful and i remember you posting that but other then your 4 posts find me something in this thread that has any use what so ever

and as just a clarification i wasnt talking specifically to either one of you guys or really to this thread. Over the past few months the idiot to knowledgeable post ratio has gone 100 to one. I normally just post in the electronics section for that exact reason but that night i thought i would check the new posts and any topic i saw that seemed interesting was full of crap this just so happened to be the last one i looked at

so fuck argueing! is it better to drift down a hil in nutral or engine break?

so fuck argueing! is it better to drift down a hil in nutral or engine break?

you should NEVER be in neutral when you're moving. it's a bad habit, and a pretty common mistake that people, especially newer drivers (even more especially new manual drivers) make.

leave the car in gear till you're almost stopped. that's the only time it should come out of gear, when you're almost stopped.

Fascinating discussion guys. I learned something new.

Now if I ever get a second car and I feel like a manual then I can drive a little smarter.

you should NEVER be in neutral when you're moving. it's a bad habit, and a pretty common mistake that people, especially newer drivers (even more especially new manual drivers) make.

leave the car in gear till you're almost stopped. that's the only time it should come out of gear, when you're almost stopped.

i understand that but why?

i understand that but why?

it's already been covered, to death, in this thread. but to simplify

1) it's not safe
2) it's bad for your tranny when you try to go back into gear.
3) it's worse for gas mileage
4) it's harder on your brakes

basically, there's no benefit whatsoever. unless you're lazy and like to do less work. in which case, there's automatic cars. read through this thread for more detailed explanations of what i listed above.

it's already been covered, to death, in this thread. but to simplify

1) it's not safe
2) it's bad for your tranny when you try to go back into gear.
3) it's worse for gas mileage
4) it's harder on your brakes

basically, there's no benefit whatsoever. unless you're lazy and like to do less work. in which case, there's automatic cars. read through this thread for more detailed explanations of what i listed above.

Is reason enough.

I am always in gear, esp on the bike

the answer is you can go down the hill, revving the shit out of your car to make yourself look cool

I snickered and laughed hard as hell @ that. Thank you :)

does the same hold true with the fuel cutoff system for automatics?

does the same hold true with the fuel cutoff system for automatics?

To a degree, yes. You have to "manually" downshift it, though. I've played around with this on rentals, and on an '07 G6 GT, and if you put it in 2nd at 50 or so, the mpg pegs 99 instantly until 30 or so.

To a degree, yes. You have to "manually" downshift it, though. I've played around with this on rentals, and on an '07 G6 GT, and if you put it in 2nd at 50 or so, the mpg pegs 99 instantly until 30 or so.

Well i mean, is putting it in neutral just as ineffective with an automatic? I've been doing the coasting in neutral thing for a bit now, and my mileage consistently averages 30-31 mpg... but I just wonder if like others have said, this is because i've actually altered my driving style as well. i would just like to know if the injector cutoff operates the same way on an auto...

It does, but you have to move the stick in to L, I, 1, 2, whatever the thing says, but that's not necessarily good for the tranny. In an auto, best thing is to leave it in D. Only use the manual downshift for towing, hill-climbing, etc.

There are some out there "Hypermiling" that are causing more problems and danger than they are worth. Driving in neutral is dangerous, traveling much lower than the flow of traffic is downright stupid.
I am interested in learning more about getting the most mileage out of my car with out doing anything stupid or dangerous.

Keeping the speeds reasonable and anticipating lights will help your mileage and brakes.

While I am curious to know about the mileage differences between coasting in neutral and injector cut off this is something I am not going to try.

Well according to my wideband and scan gauge. When coasting in neutral, its usually about 14.7 AFR, and injector pulse width is around .8-1 ms. During DFCO, it pegs the wideband at 16:1 afr, and the injector pulse width is 0-.1 ms.

just know, that others have already done these kinds of testing....
I think ive earned the right to some authority when it comes to good safe gas mileage in a cobalt ss/sc

DFCO is FTW
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v34/dragongirl78/mpg-1.jpg

Just for kicks, I tried to see the best mpg's I could get driving home.

44 mpg hwy doing 60 mph and 36 city driving like a granny and coasting.

I have an auto, and what helps me is dropping it into neutral when I coast. When you put it in neutral it automatically drops the rpms all the way down to half a thousand and you can coast into the lights/stop signs.

Just for kicks, I tried to see the best mpg's I could get driving home.

44 mpg hwy doing 60 mph and 36 city driving like a granny and coasting.

I have an auto, and what helps me is dropping it into neutral when I coast. When you put it in neutral it automatically drops the rpms all the way down to half a thousand and you can coast into the lights/stop signs.

...did you read anything in this thread?

...did you read anything in this thread?

Yes, I read the part where someone says that coasting in neutral is worse than coasting in gear. I happen to differ in opinion. From what I've seen, my rpm's drop to 500 super fast when I throw it in neutral (remember this is an auto not a standard, it may be better for your manuals to leave it in gear) and results in less gas being spent whereas leaving it in gear and coasting till keeps in at about 2,000 rpms until I brake.

Common sense tells me that it works, and so does the experimentation I've done today.

Unless there is a technical answer to this I'm going to continue to do what makes the most mpg.

Keep in mind, I'm not neutral coasting on the highway, as that would be dangerous obviously. I only do it in town at slow speeds to offset the stop and go of red lights/stop signs.

Yes, I read the part where someone says that coasting in neutral is worse than coasting in gear. I happen to differ in opinion. From what I've seen, my rpm's drop to 500 super fast when I throw it in neutral (remember this is an auto not a standard, it may be better for your manuals to leave it in gear) and results in less gas being spent whereas leaving it in gear and coasting till keeps in at about 2,000 rpms until I brake.

Common sense tells me that it works, and so does the experimentation I've done today.

Unless there is a technical answer to this I'm going to continue to do what makes the most mpg.

Keep in mind, I'm not neutral coasting on the highway, as that would be dangerous obviously. I only do it in town at slow speeds to offset the stop and go of red lights/stop signs.

you're wrong, and i'll explain why. when you leave the car in gear, and let off the gas, your are using dfco which doesn't use any gas. when you put the car in neutral, you are using gas. in other words, you're using MORE gas by putting it in neutral.

there's things that are more important than rpms. you can get better mileage at 6,000 rpms than you can at 1,000 rpms in different situations. leave the car in gear. it's not helping any to put it in neutral. it's been explained to death in this thread, so go back and re-read for more info.

you're wrong, and i'll explain why. when you leave the car in gear, and let off the gas, your are using dfco which doesn't use any gas. when you put the car in neutral, you are using gas. in other words, you're using MORE gas by putting it in neutral.

there's things that are more important than rpms. you can get better mileage at 6,000 rpms than you can at 1,000 rpms in different situations. leave the car in gear. it's not helping any to put it in neutral. it's been explained to death in this thread, so go back and re-read for more info.

Pretty much every other hypermiling website out there (including cleanmpg.com) says otherwise.

I'll try it out Monday, but it's going to be hard to top 44 mpg (which was achieved by occasionally coasting in neutral and is currently and subsequently my best so far).

Pretty much every other hypermiling website out there (including cleanmpg.com) says otherwise.

I'll try it out Monday, but it's going to be hard to top 44 mpg (which was achieved by occasionally coasting in neutral and is currently and subsequently my best so far).

doesn't matter what other websites say, they're wrong. and the hardcore ones don't just drive in neutral, they shut the car off.

like i said, go back and read this thread to find out why.

I did a little experiment... driving along on the highway at 55 mph, let off the gas while in 5 gear and coast while going through the gears... instant mpg reader goes up to 99 mpg almost instantly.

i tried this with a neutral drop, and its like 50 mpg

isnt this enough proof for the none believers that coasting while in gear and down shifting is better than neutral drop?

Yes, I read the part where someone says that coasting in neutral is worse than coasting in gear. I happen to differ in opinion. From what I've seen, my rpm's drop to 500 super fast when I throw it in neutral (remember this is an auto not a standard, it may be better for your manuals to leave it in gear) and results in less gas being spent whereas leaving it in gear and coasting till keeps in at about 2,000 rpms until I brake.

Common sense tells me that it works, and so does the experimentation I've done today.

Unless there is a technical answer to this I'm going to continue to do what makes the most mpg.

Keep in mind, I'm not neutral coasting on the highway, as that would be dangerous obviously. I only do it in town at slow speeds to offset the stop and go of red lights/stop signs.

you obviously did not read a word of this thread. DFCO shuts off the injectors when you let off the throttle until around 1800rpms if I remember correctly. When you throw it in neutral the injectors need to idle the car so it gives fuel to the motor.

I always threw it in neutral before reading this thread...now that I tried otherwise, I do actually have better economy just leaving it in drive. I do drive a 2.2 auto as well.

I haven't hit 40 yet, but I've hit high 30's...I also do a good amount of city driving compared to highway and so I average 29mpg most of the time (still do accelerate quicker than I should...could probably be in the 30-32 range if I took it easier).

I just installed a K&N Drop-In yesterday and I will see if that makes any difference over the next couple tanks. I'm hoping it will. I'm also going to remove the intake silencer and hopefully that will help as well.

If I can find a good deal locally on a SS/SC DP and cat-back, then I'll do that as well...that should help with economy even more...lastly, I'll get a tune.

I don't suppose anyone knows if the 2.4 intake mani will help mileage at all...that will just help out when I'm in higher RPM's correct, won't really affect mileage...or will it decrease it?

I always threw it in neutral before reading this thread...now that I tried otherwise, I do actually have better economy just leaving it in drive. I do drive a 2.2 auto as well.

I haven't hit 40 yet, but I've hit high 30's...I also do a good amount of city driving compared to highway and so I average 29mpg most of the time (still do accelerate quicker than I should...could probably be in the 30-32 range if I took it easier).

I just installed a K&N Drop-In yesterday and I will see if that makes any difference over the next couple tanks. I'm hoping it will. I'm also going to remove the intake silencer and hopefully that will help as well.

If I can find a good deal locally on a SS/SC DP and cat-back, then I'll do that as well...that should help with economy even more...lastly, I'll get a tune.

I don't suppose anyone knows if the 2.4 intake mani will help mileage at all...that will just help out when I'm in higher RPM's correct, won't really affect mileage...or will it decrease it?

Heh heh, well about the 2.4 mani, you might want to hold off unless you are really wanting that extra power. I got mine on sunday and today I couldn't get any better than 37 mpg highway. I'll have to check with other people who have done it, and maybe one of my tires are low, but it's a long way from my 44 mpg I used to get. :bye:

Heh heh, well about the 2.4 mani, you might want to hold off unless you are really wanting that extra power. I got mine on sunday and today I couldn't get any better than 37 mpg highway. I'll have to check with other people who have done it, and maybe one of my tires are low, but it's a long way from my 44 mpg I used to get. :bye:

doesn't the 2.4 mani shift the powerband up? meanin you have less power at low rpms, so you have to use more gas?

That's what I was wondering..I know it shifts the power band, but does that effect mileage if I'm not on the gas pedal? Maybe that would also mean slower acceleration since there's less power down there? That's why I asked...I have no idea. But if the 2.2L SC is going to be feasible, then there is no point in me spending money on an intake system or 2.4L mani as it wouldn't be used in the SC setup. I want to gain mileage right now and when the car is closer to being paid off, I want to gain the power...by then, there should be a lot of options out there for me (hopefully).