Toyota Suspends Sales of 8 Models

[Mccree]

http://www.ridelust.com/nhtsa-has-fi...-release-them/

Looks to be driver error in most cases. Still problems with floor mats thou

[HeartsOfFire]

I'm about to ask a question that may sound incredibly stupid, but I ask it because my experience behind the wheel of cars at my age is outrageously below average.

I don't own a vehicle. Because I don't own a vehicle, I never saw a reason to upgrade my Driver's license to the standard Class 5. I've been on a GDL license for over 5 years. I CAN drive, and I drive really well. I'm a passive, defensive, polite driver and have never run afoul of the law or other drivers. I have a real difficult time with the operation of manual transmissions in the city, so whenever possible I prefer an automatic transmission.

So, serious questions here: Is Neutral not unlike stopping pedalling on a bicycle?
If I approach a downslope hill, would putting the car in Neutral and allowing the car to coast be more fuel efficient than leaving it in Drive and easing up on the accelerator?

[burn_this_city]

You wouldnt notice a gas savings, the engine speed drops to idle when you brake with an automatic.

[Rerun]

^^^^ As he said.... plus you take the chance on an automatic of accidently shifting competely through neutral and into reverse.... then it could be a very expensive repair bill for you.

[BloodFetish]

Someone once explained to me that coasting in neutral is not a good habit to get into because you don't have full control of the car.

I would guess this is mostly important in manual transmission because going down the hill you can break with your engine, whereas in neutral you don't have this option available in an emergency.

Any reason not to coast in neutral with automatic transmission?

[burn_this_city]

Theres a couple reasons not to, you wouldnt be able to quickly accelerate to avoid a collision, and like Rerun stated you could accidently shift into reverse or forget you're in neutral. If there is no benefit to shifting into neutral than why would you?

[amorak]

Modern cars have a fuel cut off when you get off the gas in "D" in an auto, so you actually save more gas - In "N" in an auto, you have to keep the engine idling (using gas).

In a manual, it's the same - in gear your engine is not using gas, you're engine braking down a hill - in N your engine is idling.


The only time I use N in my manuals is when I take crowchild down towards kensington - its a looong downward grade from 17th St SW to Kengsington, so I use neutral to make it all the way... if I leave it in gear, even 6, there is enough engine braking to require throttle input.

[Bill Bumface]

You burn more gas in neutral.

If you leave it in gear the engine isn't putting any gas in the cylinders as your foot is off the pedal and the hill is turning the wheels which are turning the crank in the engine.

If you put it in neutral the engine has to put gas in the cylinders to keep it at idle RPM.

[HeartsOfFire]

Learn something new everyday.

What about putting the car in Neutral (Automatic tranny) at a red light, as opposed to leaving it in drive with your foot on the brake?

The way I see it, with the car in gear it is trying to move forward, even though the brakes are preventing it from doing so. Unnecessary wear and tear?

[Shin Pad]

Nm