correction on my last comment: coasting in an automatic with the engine off in neutral would stop lubrication of vital parts of the drivetrain (I think the bearings), as leaving the engine running would lubricate the parts. it's okay though for coasting very short distances such as just when you are stopping for a red light.
You should never coast an automatic with its engine off in 'N' at moderate speeds..something about the torque convertor still being connected with the engine and that could cause damage. Cars are never towed at their drive wheels for this reason. Not sure about manuals..
Just one more thing: I still get about a 20% increase in mileage versus what I would get, and I don't perform the engine shut off maneuvers. Again, safety first. Your life is more important than the extra cents you may save with the engine off, and the money you save on starters is way more than your projected gas savings.
(continuing my last comment) it is always a good idea to keep the tranny in an auto in gear, and to never shut the car off, at least until you've come to a complete stop, and then you can shut it off. Just remember, a safety feature in almost every automatic vehicle, is that the car cannot be started in drive. I personally don't shut the engine off when I stop, because I have the starter's life in mind. Always keep your car's longevity in mind, and more importantly your safety. Drive safely all.
It is safest NOT to turn the engine off while coasting. If you have power steering, that is made of no use, and you must use much more force to turn in an emergency. Regard your life over your fuel savings. I am a hypermiler myself, and I have an automatic tranny. It is NEVER a good idea to shift an auto into neutral while moving, as this can severely damage the tranny over a short amount of time. Like a hydrostatic tractor tranny should never exceed walking speed in neutral, so is it with autos
I learned this recently, but in fuel-injected vehicles, it's not always beneficial to turn the vehicle off while coasting. The ECU stops the injectors when the throttle isn't depressed and the crankshaft is rotating at speeds higher than idle. The engine will still compress air, but it won't be using any fuel, and you won't need to start the vehicle. Starting the vehicle uses about as much fuel as idling it for about 10 seconds, so that's something to keep in mind when coasting or stopped.
You are indeed right, it's only worth it to turn off the car if it is for an extended period of time. But keep in mind that if you coast in neutral, your fuel injectors well actually inject MORE to keep engine operations up to par. When I have to come to a stop, I have to choose between coasting and engine braking depending on the situation.
I ran out of space, but I did mention that the crankshaft should be rotating faster than idle speed. If the vehicle is in gear and coasting, the fuel injectors shut off, and the engine effectively becomes a compression brake while using no fuel. If you take the vehicle out of gear, the injectors will have to inject enough fuel to keep the engine at idle speed. My point is that coasting in gear saves as much gas as coasting with the engine off.
Excellent question! Since I have not driven an automatic in some time I'll have to double check but I believe you would take the gear selecter to Neutral ("N"). This way your revs go down to an idle and you can turn the car off and on. I'll double check to make sure but I believe that's how my friends with autos do it.
Okay, I double-checked and you can turn it off while in drive (but you cannot remove the key) or you can simply put it in neutral. But it HAS to be in Neutral to restart it.
correction on my last comment: coasting in an automatic with the engine off in neutral would stop lubrication of vital parts of the drivetrain (I think the bearings), as leaving the engine running would lubricate the parts. it's okay though for coasting very short distances such as just when you are stopping for a red light.
suprahmed 6 months ago
You should never coast an automatic with its engine off in 'N' at moderate speeds..something about the torque convertor still being connected with the engine and that could cause damage. Cars are never towed at their drive wheels for this reason. Not sure about manuals..
suprahmed 6 months ago
Just one more thing: I still get about a 20% increase in mileage versus what I would get, and I don't perform the engine shut off maneuvers. Again, safety first. Your life is more important than the extra cents you may save with the engine off, and the money you save on starters is way more than your projected gas savings.
MrApostle89 2 years ago
(continuing my last comment) it is always a good idea to keep the tranny in an auto in gear, and to never shut the car off, at least until you've come to a complete stop, and then you can shut it off. Just remember, a safety feature in almost every automatic vehicle, is that the car cannot be started in drive. I personally don't shut the engine off when I stop, because I have the starter's life in mind. Always keep your car's longevity in mind, and more importantly your safety. Drive safely all.
MrApostle89 2 years ago
It is safest NOT to turn the engine off while coasting. If you have power steering, that is made of no use, and you must use much more force to turn in an emergency. Regard your life over your fuel savings. I am a hypermiler myself, and I have an automatic tranny. It is NEVER a good idea to shift an auto into neutral while moving, as this can severely damage the tranny over a short amount of time. Like a hydrostatic tractor tranny should never exceed walking speed in neutral, so is it with autos
MrApostle89 2 years ago
I learned this recently, but in fuel-injected vehicles, it's not always beneficial to turn the vehicle off while coasting. The ECU stops the injectors when the throttle isn't depressed and the crankshaft is rotating at speeds higher than idle. The engine will still compress air, but it won't be using any fuel, and you won't need to start the vehicle. Starting the vehicle uses about as much fuel as idling it for about 10 seconds, so that's something to keep in mind when coasting or stopped.
clumsydreamer 3 years ago
You are indeed right, it's only worth it to turn off the car if it is for an extended period of time. But keep in mind that if you coast in neutral, your fuel injectors well actually inject MORE to keep engine operations up to par. When I have to come to a stop, I have to choose between coasting and engine braking depending on the situation.
RaceMeMZ3 3 years ago
I ran out of space, but I did mention that the crankshaft should be rotating faster than idle speed. If the vehicle is in gear and coasting, the fuel injectors shut off, and the engine effectively becomes a compression brake while using no fuel. If you take the vehicle out of gear, the injectors will have to inject enough fuel to keep the engine at idle speed. My point is that coasting in gear saves as much gas as coasting with the engine off.
clumsydreamer 3 years ago
i just watched another vid, according to it if u add pure acetone, in small amounts it can largly increase ur MPG.
MechanicV8 3 years ago
turning off your car when your car is an automatic.. is it still set in drive?
WinkieDuck 3 years ago
Excellent question! Since I have not driven an automatic in some time I'll have to double check but I believe you would take the gear selecter to Neutral ("N"). This way your revs go down to an idle and you can turn the car off and on. I'll double check to make sure but I believe that's how my friends with autos do it.
RaceMeMZ3 3 years ago
Okay, I double-checked and you can turn it off while in drive (but you cannot remove the key) or you can simply put it in neutral. But it HAS to be in Neutral to restart it.
RaceMeMZ3 3 years ago