Coasting in Neutral

[cptsideways]

Plenty of cars now have the function, some have had it since the 2000's its nothing new.

Lupo 3L & Audi A2 3L had this yonks ago worked rather well at getting a genuine 100mpg.

Depending on where you drive it can make a massive difference. The trick is to use the coast function to get you as far as possible without reducing speed but use engine braking & (no fuel being used) to scrub speed when required, rather than braking at the last min. If you have a regular route you can compare the difference, biggest gains on routes with gentle hills in my experience.

[RobM77]

waremark said:

RobM77 said:

Three points to make here:

For my daily driver (3 litres and 6 cylinders), engine braking is a very noticeable effect and there's a huge difference between backing off and coasting. For example, every day I approach a 30 limit from a 50mph limit - with coasting enabled I back off about 1km before the 30, but without it enabled, just backing off the throttle in gear, it's more like 300-400 metres.

Edited by RobM77 on Wednesday 15th January 13:46

I don't think I could be that patient - and if you don't take advantage of the system by backing off earlier the economy could be worse rather than better. In my wife's car the feature is enabled in Eco mode - which we don't use.

It's clever, so if you touch the brakes, or there's a junction approaching that you're taking, or you're on a hill steep enough to cause an increase in speed, then it won't coast, it'll go with engine braking instead (being more efficient in that situation).

I confess though, I do have a fairly unusual driving style that the system works well with - I barely ever use the brakes to slow the car, I just back off early instead.

Regarding eco-pro mode, the poor throttle response is a shame, because I find it dangerous in many situations and I've learnt to switch modes quite regularly for safety reasons (and enjoyment!).

Edited by RobM77 on Thursday 16th January 11:36

[silverfoxcc]

cptsideways said

biggest gains on routes with gentle hills in my experience.

And you lose it all when you have to go back UPHILL!! unless you will never ever go back to where you started from, AND you managed to get there by going downhill!!

Perhaps you have found the escherian road system in reality!! lol ( all said in jest)