Why is coasting in neutral gear not recommended?
2 Answers
Coasting in neutral gear is not recommended because it can be dangerous and may generate excessive heat in the transmission, potentially causing damage. Whether it's a manual or automatic transmission, when coasting in neutral, the gears inside the transmission rotate at high speeds, instantly generating significant heat. Additionally, lubrication issues may occur during neutral coasting, making this practice harmful to the transmission. Neutral coasting refers to the driving technique where the driver shifts the gear lever to the neutral position while the vehicle is in motion, disengaging the clutch between the engine and drive wheels, allowing the vehicle to move by inertia.
This needs to be addressed from a safety perspective. I used to coast in neutral while driving, thinking it saved fuel and made the ride smoother. But I nearly had an accident once when driving downhill in mountainous areas: during continuous turns while coasting, the brakes suddenly became weak. I later learned that in neutral, the car has no engine braking and relies solely on the brake pads. After continuous braking for five to six hundred meters, the entire brake disc turned red-hot. If an emergency occurs on the highway, being in gear and stepping on the gas allows for instant acceleration to avoid danger, whereas in neutral, the power connection is at least two seconds slower—enough time for three rear-end collisions. Nowadays, traffic regulations explicitly prohibit coasting in neutral downhill. A fine is a small matter, but it’s too late when an actual accident happens.
