September 16, 2011
Can switching your car into neutral while going down a hill save gas?
I’m trying to find ways to save on gas and Ive been wondering if switching your car into neutral while driving has any effect on the fuel economy. Thank you!
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Filed under Gas Conservation FAQ by on Sep 16th, 2011. Comment. 
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Comments on Can switching your car into neutral while going down a hill save gas?
if you’re driving a manual transmission, then you could save a very small amount of gas.
If you’re driving auto, then you’ll do more harm than good from the extra wear and tear on the transmission.
Yes, it saves a little bit of money but it is dangerous to yourself and others on the road. Your car also doesn’t steer the same way in neutral when you are braking, as it would in gear. The best way to save on gas is to drive very conservatively..take it very easy on the pedals, leave plenty of space between cars so you don’t have to constantly change speeds, drive the speed limit and not much more, and try to time the lights so you don’t have to stop.
Stop and go kills your MPG. Also, I try to roll through stops if there is no one around and there’s a clear view. Starting from a roll is more economical than starting from a dead stop. I don’t recommend doing that in crowded areas or where there are people walking, because you can get a ticket, or worse, hit someone. Use good judgement obviously!
Both of the previous replies are 100% WRONG.
Changing into neutral while moving is not only dangerous but it will in fact cause you to burn MORE FUEL. On a modern fuel-injected engine as soon as you lift your foot off the pedal the fuel injectors close and engine RPM keeps the engine running. If you put the car in neutral the engine RPM drops down to idle and the injectors have to open again to keep it from stalling. You can watch this on a diagnostic scan tool.