Is it worth coasting in neutral?

The popular wisdom is full of great advice that, despite all the good intentions in the world, can end up being counterproductive for the engine and even for other parts of the car. Some say that driving in neutral can be a good idea to save fuel, but as is almost always the case, popular advice is not as true as we might imagine.

Is it true that you can save fuel by coasting with the car in neutral? The truth is that not only does it fail to save fuel, but in some cases consumption can even be slightly higher and pose safety problems while driving. Let’s see why.

To begin with, the gears connect the engine to the wheels and allow the wheels to receive the power generated by the engine. But when the transmission is put in neutral, both systems are disconnected. This means the engine has no way of knowing the car is moving, and the injectors keep feeding fuel into the engine to keep it running.

When driving downhill, it is the wheels that transmit the movement to the engine, the opposite of what normally happens. Moreover, the engine acts as a brake and helps keep control at all times. At that moment, when you go down a slope and do not press the accelerator, the engine is practically in zero-consumption mode.

Another important point: not only do you drive without consuming fuel, but other important car systems also remain active. By controlling the car’s speed with engine braking and an occasional bit of acceleration, the car stays under the driver’s control and risks are avoided.

If you coast in neutral in those conditions, taking advantage of a downhill slope, the brakes are used more and can be damaged, suffering greater wear. In addition, a series of mechanical complications could arise. The greater build-up of carbon in the EGR valve, the catalytic converter and the particulate filter can lead to a breakdown or at least cause problems while driving.

On the flat, the situation is similar. Neutral lets the engine receive fuel to keep it running, whereas with a gear engaged the engine is turned by the wheels and consumes nothing. When you press the accelerator is when fuel enters and is consumed.

The need to maintain control of the car, avoid damage to the brakes and the engine itself, and genuinely save fuel makes it essential to always drive with a gear engaged. Don’t forget it.

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