Coasting downhill

MikeTimbers · 19 Apr 2008 at 23:56

Anyone else do this? Is depressing the clutch when going down hill doing any harm?

Lashout_UK · 19 Apr 2008 at 23:57

Quick, someone get this guy a flameproof suit!

MikeTimbers · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:01

Griffo · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:07

It is the devils work. I can't be... bothered to try and explain as i've drunk more than one fluid ounce of alcohol and am annoyed. Google it.

doofer · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:08

If I'm caught in traffic on any downwards incline I always knock it out of gear and just let it roll down with mavity but maintaining control via the brakes, if I think I'll be there a while I even knock the engine off rather than let it idle. Never keep the clutch down though (They're expensive!)

[TW]Fox · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:11

MikeTimbers said:
Anyone else do this? Is depressing the clutch when going down hill doing any harm?

Why do this?

DannyW · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:14

use the engine to help maintain speed and control lol you are taught this on driving lessons and it's in the theory test aswell, if you've got no abs and you slam on in neutral the chances of you locking it up are a lot higher then if it was in gear, you also use no fuel when engine braking.

mjt · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:22

doofer said:
knock it out of gear and just let it roll down with mavity but maintaining control via the brakes,

but that's the thing, you're not in control

Tom|Nbk · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:26

mjt said:
but that's the thing, you're not in control

In standstill traffic. I don't think that would be an issue. I do it all the time.

doofer · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:30

mjt said:
but that's the thing, you're not in control

Trust me, it's 1-3MPH for probably less than 10 feet at a time, I'm quite confident I have full control of my vehicle with the method described.

Hawk Tuah · 20 Apr 2008 at 00:33

If you drive a modern car, you will use less fuel by going down a hill with the car in gear.

Dont do it in too high a gear, or the ICV will try and accelerate the car and negate any fuel savings.

Solari · 20 Apr 2008 at 02:17

Done this just after I passed by accident while turning and almost drifted around a corner. Never done it since

You're definitely not in control while coasting.

MrFunex · 20 Apr 2008 at 09:41

Solari said:
Done this just after I passed by accident while turning and almost drifted around a corner. Never done it since You're definitely not in control while coasting.

Of course you're in control while coasting, the car's balance and weight distribution doesn't magically change and throw you in a hedge just because the clutch is depressed... What car were you in?

If you're doing it on every slight downhill incline you come across, the benefits are probably negligable though. There's no problem coasting to a stop at a junction, except you loose engine braking; you may or may not want this. Besides, it's far more fun to boot it downhill then roar up the other side

PMKeates · 20 Apr 2008 at 09:42

Depends how fast traffic is moving. 1st gear idle in my car crawls me along at 5mph so I'll mostly use that. If it's slower and not downhill then it's constant clutch work, if it's downhill then it's brake/clutch continously. If I get bored, then it'll be in neutral and then just brake.

Conscript · 20 Apr 2008 at 09:47

MikeTimbers said:
Anyone else do this? Is depressing the clutch when going down hill doing any harm?

It's less efficient and, at speed, arguably unsafe. Don't.

Duke · 20 Apr 2008 at 12:04

I don't know why you would want to.

Lopéz · 20 Apr 2008 at 12:06

MikeTimbers said:
Anyone else do this?

No

Pinter75 · 20 Apr 2008 at 12:15

I was told that it can wear out your thrust bearing quicker...?

DannyW · 20 Apr 2008 at 12:18

probably true holding the clutch down for ages, my dad is a driving instrcutor he's gone through a few release/thrust bearings and slave cylinders over the years (not through coasting though!)

NathanE · 20 Apr 2008 at 12:20

Less safe and uses petrol

No advantages in doing it what so ever :/