What are Neutral Coasting and Gear Coasting?

[VonMaddox]

Neutral coasting is a driving method where the car's gear is shifted into neutral, and the vehicle moves forward relying on inertia. Gear coasting is when the car remains in gear without pressing the accelerator, moving forward by inertia. Scenarios for neutral coasting: Approaching traffic lights or pedestrian crossings: For example, when traffic lights are a few dozen meters ahead and you need to stop, a manual transmission car can shift into neutral, release the accelerator, and rely solely on braking to control speed. If the speed is high, apply light braking; if not, let the car coast slowly to a stop. When slowing down in traffic: In urban congestion with stop-and-go traffic, manual transmission cars can also coast. Start by releasing the accelerator with the clutch partially engaged, then shift into neutral. To accelerate, shift into first or second gear and press the accelerator. To slow down, shift into neutral and coast, adjusting based on the situation. When approaching a stop: When driving a manual transmission car to a destination and still a few dozen meters away, you can coast by shifting into neutral, letting the car move forward by inertia while controlling speed with the brakes until it comes to a complete stop. Note: Whether manual or automatic transmission, never coast in neutral downhill. Always use gear coasting for safety reasons. Scenarios for gear coasting: When going downhill: Whether in an automatic or manual transmission car, release the accelerator and coast in a low gear without pressing the accelerator. When slowing down at high or low speeds: Whether driving at high or low speeds, if the car ahead brakes or the distance decreases, release the accelerator to slow down, effectively coasting in gear. Resume acceleration once a safe distance is restored. Downhill driving can also utilize gear coasting. When coming to a stop: For automatic transmission cars, when needing to stop or approaching a pedestrian crossing or traffic light, first release the accelerator and coast in gear. If the speed is still high, apply light braking to maintain low speed until stopping. For manual transmission cars, during gear coasting, shift into appropriate gears based on speed and RPM to ensure gear-speed alignment until stopping.

[MacAlexis]

Coasting in neutral means shifting to neutral to let the car glide, with the engine and wheels disconnected, and the engine idling. Engine braking (or deceleration fuel cut-off) means coasting with the gear engaged, where the engine is still working and helps slow down the car, like lightly applying the brakes. Having driven for decades, I remember when everyone preferred coasting in neutral to save a bit of fuel. But after driving on mountain roads, I realized it's quite dangerous because without the engine's help in braking, relying solely on brake pads risks losing control if they fail—especially terrifying when going downhill. Modern cars are smarter during engine braking, automatically controlling fuel injection, which actually results in much lower fuel consumption and greater safety. I recommend engine braking for safety—don't cut corners for temporary ease.

[LeTeagan]

As an average driver who commutes daily, I always prioritize fuel efficiency and low carbon emissions. Coasting in neutral, simply put, is shifting to N gear and letting the car roll, but the engine idles and wastes fuel. On the other hand, coasting in gear, like keeping it in D gear, allows the engine to help slow the car down by staying connected to the wheels, saving fuel and being more eco-friendly. I've heard that modern cars with ECU intelligent control stop fuel injection during coasting in gear, significantly reducing carbon emissions. I tried coasting in gear, and my fuel consumption really dropped—the old neutral method is outdated. Safety-wise, coasting in gear is also reliable, as you can brake effectively in emergencies. I suggest everyone gradually change their habits—it saves money and protects the planet's air.

[OElliot]

When it comes to coasting while driving, I often worry about safety during my daily car usage. Neutral coasting means coasting out of gear with the engine idling, while engine braking coasting means coasting in gear with the engine providing braking assistance. The car body feels more stable when coasting in gear, especially when driving with kids on rainy days—I pay extra attention to this because neutral coasting could be risky if the brakes slip. Through regular car maintenance, I've also learned that coasting in gear reduces brake pad wear, whereas neutral coasting consumes more fuel and isn't cost-effective. I prefer coasting in gear—it gives me much more peace of mind.