Is pressing the clutch fully and applying some brake during downhill in Subject 2 considered coasting in neutral?
2 Answers
No. Pressing the clutch while braking is equally problematic. Especially when going downhill, you should never brake in neutral or with the clutch pressed, as this can easily lead to loss of control and accidents. Coasting in neutral refers to: during vehicle operation, the driver shifts the gear lever to the neutral position, disengaging the clutch between the engine and drive wheels, allowing the vehicle to move by inertia. Coasting in neutral must be performed under conditions where safety is ensured and the vehicle's technical condition is normal. Engine-off coasting is prohibited, particularly when descending steep or long slopes - neither engine-off nor neutral coasting is allowed. Traditional carburetor vehicles might save fuel by coasting in neutral, but this only becomes effective at very low RPMs, as their fuel injection is mechanically controlled. The so-called idle speed is equivalent to pre-pressing the throttle slightly. After disengaging the drivetrain in neutral, only fixed idle fuel consumption remains. Without disengagement, additional throttle might be needed; otherwise, incoordination between speed and gear could cause engine stalling due to shaking.
I remember pondering this when I first started driving! During the downhill section in Subject 2, if you depress the clutch all the way while lightly applying the brakes, isn't that essentially disengaging the power and letting the car coast? It's indeed a form of neutral coasting because fully depressing the clutch means the engine is disconnected from the wheels, relying solely on brakes to slow down. From an exam perspective, the examiner might flag this as a safety concern – without engine braking force, controlling the vehicle becomes risky if brakes fail. My suggestion: try the half-clutch technique – slightly releasing the clutch to maintain power connection while coordinating with brake pressure for smoother, more controlled descents. Practice this detail regularly to develop safe driving habits.
