Driving in Neutral good or bad?

Selva, could you please give some references or somehow substantiate? Most FE related websites prefer neutral coasting to DFCO, as DFCO loses momentum faster than the equivalent of idling fuel consumption. This can be checked in standard FE saving tips at gassavers.org, cleanmpg, ecomodder... a lot many other FE related sites.

Driving as a whole is an acquired skill, but with practice, it becomes second nature - So does the neutral coasting habit, or even engine-off coasting - I can vouch for it, from first hand experience. I would invite you to come along when we go from Vashi to Kihim beach at the meet, and certify my assertion on this.

Manus Krishna already gave his verdict in the earlier post - and I am as sure as you about Lord Krishna's opinion

Read this useful info on net, Thought I'd share with you. -

How can I use DFCO to increase my MPG?

Let me count the ways...

- When traveling down a grade get into DFCO mode instead of racing from corner to corner or riding your friction brakes, etc.

- As soon as you hit an exit ramp off of the highway go into DFCO all the way to the end of the ramp.

- When approaching a stop or turn use DFCO to decelerate down to just a few MPH before applying the friction brakes.

- When you're stuck in heavy traffic use the well-known technique of finding the right speed to keep a few car lengths of distance ahead of you and maintain forward momentum, then use DFCO to decelerate when needed instead of your friction brakes.

- Use DFCO to maintain controlled forward movement while you're trying to stay moving while approaching a traffic light that you're waiting to turn green.


How can I maximize my speed control when using DFCO?

By selecting the right gear for the purpose. Select a higher gear for faster DFCO movement and a lower gear for slower movement (this is where the MT really outshines the AT). Both transmission types can have their DFCO movement speed adjusted by tapping the fuel when a higher speed is required than gravity can achieve, and by light friction brake usage when some speed needs to be bled off but the next lower gear would be too much.


Does using DFCO hurt my vehicle?

No more than maintaining an idle, or maintaining a fuel-based engine load on it would be, as normally happens in these instances.


Is DFCO more efficient than using the clutch and/or friction brakes to stop?

When you push the clutch in or the AT enters its lowest power state your engine idles (the AT idles a bit higher than the MT in order to produce the pressures needed to operate the torque converter). Idling requires fuel while DFCO does not so DFCO is more efficient. However, you will not be able to use DFCO to completely stop all forward movement as you will eventually drop below 1,100 RPM, so the idea is to use DFCO as much as possible before engaging the friction brake system in the normal manner.


Is using DFCO like this legal?

Absolutely. Even those rare Interstate passes or other roads where engine braking is prohibited don't apply here because those areas have banned engine braking due to emissions controls (notice how semi trucks spew acrid black smoke when they are engine braking), but we are producing zero tailpipe emissions because we are not burning any fuel at all.

Thanks Nilesh for sharing the info.  Plaase also post the reference/url of the webpage you have derived the same from.

I use each & every way mentioned here. And it has helped me to increase my bike's average from 40 to 50.

Here's the link of the site I got this info from -

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4248

Please have a look at this thread - these guys are nerds, and nothing beats them as far as fuel efficiency knowhow is concerned, particularly my Guru - PaleMelanesian. If you happen to visit the thread, go see his fuel logs. He routinely gets 70mph (30 kmpl), so hold your guns as far as objections are concerned.

Thread summary: He is of the opinion that if you plan to slow or come to a halt, use DFCO, but for other cases, the braking effect induced by the load of engine on the wheels is much more than the fuel savings by avoiding idling fuel consumption, so overall it is bad.

Expert opinion furnished, case dismissed!

Aha!! I see clearly now why coasting in neutral saves fuel - however the advantage is when you are at a good enough speed so that the distance covered in idling is such that it uses up less fuel than when in gear with DFCO (hope I got that right).