wow seems like opinions are really split down the middle on this. since its a habit already i guess ill continue to just neutral it haha.

 

Yea. I also have the habit of putting it on neutral on downhills and coming to a stop light.

 

IIRC, when coasting in gear at a speed where the movement of your wheels is turning the engine (i.e. engine braking), your engine is in "fuel cut" so little to no fuel is being burned. Though, through my neighborhood, I still usually coast in neutral...coasting in gear + 3" catback = loud

 

coasting is different than coming to a stop for a light or stop sign. Coasting in neutral will save you gas. But coming to a stop in neutral will burn more gas cause the engine has to idle itself. If your coming to a stop keep it in gear and the fuel injectors will shut off saving you gas. If you want proof just look at the digital readout of your fuel on the dash screen, when you coast in gear it will got to 0, or for Americans 100 (ie 0 litres per 100 km for Canada and 100 miles per gallon USA.)

I don't know why this is such a debate. it comes up all the time...

 

I have a question. Lets say you are approaching a red light from about a 1/4 - 1/8 mile away and you put it in neutral and coast to the light. Then, you approach the same light but downshift 3rd then to 2nd using your normal stopping distance. Which is better then? You are coasting for twice the distance that you are downshifting? I need to log this and see.

 

My question is... Would you rather pump a couple more cents of gas for putting it in neutral OR have to replace your clutch faster from using it all the time?

And just so you know, the Lancer's before '08 don't have the fancy read-out screen on the tachometer.

 

You shouldn't have your foot on the clutch the whole time you are slowing down. If you downshift right you won't be killing your clutch.

 

bottom line, there is no fuel being injected when its in gear without throttle. the injectors shut off completely. Anyone with a wideband can tell you this.

 

Yea I know that. I'm just saying it's pointless to have your foot on the clutch as you come to a stop or light and keep it there the whole time.

 

eh... if I'm cruising at a constant speed I'll slap it into 5th at 40MPH. Of course, that means I have to down shift if I want to accelerate with any kind of quickness. However, most of the time 40 to 45 in 5th is more than acceptable for moderating/matching speed in traffic at those speeds...

Most of the time, I don't shift to 5th until I get to or very close to the target speed.

35mph and slower 3rd and 4th most of the time... sometimes 2nd depending on the terrain...

 

honestly, the whole reason i first started putting it in neutral was to save my clutch. then i read that it was fuel efficient so i was like nice, win win situation. but after my friend told me its NOT fuel efficient i was like ef.

 

Yea I'd rather pay a little more gas

 

You don't have to downshift to cut off the fuel injectors. If your doing 60kmh (like 45mph i think?) and are in 3rd or 4th gear just coast to the light in that gear using your brake to slow down/stop. This will shut off the fuel injectors and run the engine off compression. Yes once you get to like 10/kmh you will start to bog... so just before this happens you put your clutch in and go to neutral and complete your stop.

You get the best of both worlds, save on gas and you don't wear out your clutch.

Someone correct me if Im wrong... I don't claim to be an expert or anything.

 

this makes sense. thanks for the response

 

phalenCAN is right on. This is what I've been doing for years. Let the car slow down to almost idle rpm, ~1000rpm or so, and THEN shift it into neutral. Saves gas, saves clutch, and it's a whole lot easier.