Being in neutral while moveing

[1958Bassman]

So I have a saturn sl2. My question is when I put it in neutral, what does that mean? Is it a total disconnect from the wheels and the engine? I remember something about when you jack the front wheels off the ground it they will still spin from the engine in neutral.

The reason I ask is the other day I was in neutral to coast to a stop and the tachometer started bouncing between 8 and 15 hundred (idle is normally about 11-14 depending on the weather)

I have noticed this at least 3 times, twice while coasting to a stop on level ground (it evened out once I was below around 35mhp) and when I was coasting down and back up a hill where I had to turn and it didnt even out till I was at about 20 at the top.

BTW- if the tach was bouncing quickly, the gauge may have a problem. If you hear the engine speed changing with the tach, the engine has a problem, possibly the IAC (Idle Air Control), ECM (Electronic Control Module) or IC (Ignition Control) module.

If you had a carb, you would save gas but with a computer-controlled engine, if the throttle is fully closed, the engine uses only the amount needed to keep it running at idle. On hard deceleration, the fuel delivery is interrupted to allow the engine speed to come back to match the new throttle position. Coasting doesn't provide any real benefit and throttle position being at 0% in Drive is no difference from 0% in neutral.

You have a lot more than two sensors, too.

 

[bolophonic]

I'm going to echo some of the obvious points in this thread: that the attention you are devote to clowning around with turning your car off and driving in neutral in order to save a few drops of gas is attention you should be focusing on getting to your destination safely. Every hot-dog thinks he has a gift for precision driving under any set of circumstances, but if you have ever been hit by someone who unexpectedly exceeded their limitations, then you will have much less patience for this kind of nonsense. Just drive the car as it was meant to be driven.

 

[Clark Dark]

whatever the OP does I hope he doesn't decide to coast in nuetral on wet or slippery surfaces. If I remember correctly an automatic transmission helps in the decelleration process, as the vehicle slows in speed the tranny will also downshift when certain speeds are reached, all the way to first gear when you come to a stop.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

are still a heck of a lot better then the intoxicated.

That's an awfully low bar.

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

I'm going to echo some of the obvious points in this thread: that the attention you are devote to clowning around with turning your car off and driving in neutral in order to save a few drops of gas is attention you should be focusing on getting to your destination safely. Every hot-dog thinks he has a gift for precision driving under any set of circumstances, but if you have ever been hit by someone who unexpectedly exceeded their limitations, then you will have much less patience for this kind of nonsense. Just drive the car as it was meant to be driven.

Just play your bass with your thumb like Leo meant it to be

 

[DerHoggz]

Just play your bass with your thumb like Leo meant it to be

Because fingerstyle, slap, and pickstyle remove control of a multiton machine putting other people in danger.

Is there an engine braking effect on automatics?

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

Because fingerstyle, slap, and pickstyle remove control of a multiton machine putting other people in danger.

Is there an engine braking effect on automatics?

I got a blister once
Which could have become infected.

 

[skychief]

Is there an engine braking effect on automatics?

Yes, but generally less effective than a manual transmission. The skill of the driver has to be factored in also.

A car (w/automatic) with properly programmed shift points (in the ECU) can actually provide better braking on deceleration than a similar car (w/manual) and a clueless driver.

 

[1958Bassman]

That's an awfully low bar.

Not from the POV of a junkie.

 

[Dave W]

Wow, there is some seriously flawed logic throughout this thread. Kinda scary to think about.

Yep. I said it earlier. Just think...we drive on the road with people that do this all the time apparently.

Turn off your car while driving? Really?

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

Yep. I said it earlier. Just think...we drive on the road with people that do this all the time apparently.

Turn off your car while driving? Really?

Yea get over it, texting and driving is much worse.

 

[mcnach]

Yeah, if someone does something more stupid than I do, then it's all ok

 

[MatticusMania]

Yea get over it, texting and driving is much worse.

I take it you are one such persons that shuts your engine off whilst driving?

 

[Dave W]

Yea get over it, texting and driving is much worse.

I never said it was or wasn't. If I think something is unsafe (like turning off your car while driving. Go ahead, tell me how it's perfectly safe to do) I'm going to say something. Get over it...

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

I take it you are one such persons that shuts your engine off whilst driving?

Umm no I might have tried it on my motorcycle once or twice, but didn't care for it.

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

I never said it was or wasn't. If I think something is unsafe (like turning off your car while driving. Go ahead, tell me how it's perfectly safe to do) I'm going to say something. Get over it...

All I'm saying is probably 0% of all motor accidents are caused by this.

 

[Dave W]

All I'm saying is probably 0% of all motor accidents are caused by this.

You've never heard of a person getting rear ended because of shifting into neutral while coming to a stop? Shutting the engine off is effectively the same thing.

They teach this stuff in drivers ed for a reason...

I've said what I have to say and I'm moving on. This is a pointless conversation.

 

[Tony Flow MMMM]

You've never heard of a person getting rear ended because of shifting into neutral while coming to a stop? Shutting the engine off is effectively the same thing.

They teach this stuff in drivers ed for a reason...

I've said what I have to say and I'm moving on. This is a pointless conversation.

K cool bro

 

[uOpt]

Going into neutral does save substantial amounts of gas when you go down a gentle slope that keeps the car moving in neutral but that isn't steep enough to push the engine hard enough for it to stop delivering fuel. You have to push pretty hard for the latter to happen and in practice gentle hills don't do it, you continue pumping much more fuel than idle.

Car manufacturers strongly point out that you void the warranty by putting an automatic transmission in and out of neutral while moving, though.

 

[uOpt]

You've never heard of a person getting rear ended because of shifting into neutral while coming to a stop? Shutting the engine off is effectively the same thing.

Uh? Neutral lets the car go freely. The deceleration is nowhere comparable to have an engine connected that is turned off.

So no, it's not the same thing. Why would you say such a thing?