What Are the Hazards of Coasting in Neutral?

[BrantleyRose]

Coasting in neutral can lead to the loss of engine braking, reduced maneuverability, and potential safety hazards. Below are the hazards of coasting in neutral for your vehicle: 1. Reduced braking force: When driving an automatic transmission vehicle in neutral, the braking force of the vehicle decreases, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. This is because, in neutral, the connection between the engine and the drive wheels is lost, and the vehicle moves forward solely by inertia. In case of emergency braking, all braking force must be provided by the brakes alone. 2. Increased fuel consumption: Coasting in neutral does not save fuel; in fact, it can sometimes consume more fuel due to the working mechanism of electronic fuel injection engines. According to engine principles, electronic fuel injection engines adjust fuel injection based on computer programs. When coasting in neutral, the computer may put the engine into idle mode, where it continues to inject fuel. This explains why coasting in neutral can sometimes lead to higher fuel consumption.