Isn't "62) Parking tactics: orbit to bleed momentum" stat fluffing?

[MPGranger]

I fail to see how coasting around your parking spot actually teaches you to raise your FE. It seems to be more about increasing your status as a hypermiler by getting a higher MPG figure, than actually getting practical FE. I understand it might be part of getting competitive about the FE game, but it seems to be a vestigial parlor trick.

Could somebody explain this better, so I might understand the function better?

[California98Civic]

I don't do this. But I do sometimes continue coasting toward a closer spot or a higher spot when I have too much momentum left over. At that point I'm looking for a better way to start out when I return to the car. Coasting down a hill in the lot and bump starting saves starter motor usage, and therefore fuel. But I think you have it correct otherwise... mostly... there is a value I guess to practicing that sort of planning, because you need it in all sorts of hypermiling techniques and it is not part of normies' driving styles.

Originally Posted by MPGranger

I fail to see how coasting around your parking spot actually teaches you to raise your FE. It seems to be more about increasing your status as a hypermiler by getting a higher MPG figure, than actually getting practical FE. I understand it might be part of getting competitive about the FE game, but it seems to be a vestigial parlor trick.

Could somebody explain this better, so I might understand the function better?

[Ryland]

It's along the same lines as not starting your car until you want to start moving by putting on your seat belt first, adjusting your mirrors and if you are on a slope then start coasting before you ever start the car, coasting in to a parking spot is the same idea, you are done using the gas engine so turn it off, to take it to the other extreme you could leave the engine running while you come to a stop, pull the hand brake, undo your seat belt, gather your stuff together then shut the engine off.
Bottom line is, your gas engine is there to do work and if you are not asking it to do work then why have it run? it's the main reason I really like my electric car, you only draw energy from the batteries while asking it to go.

[Frank Lee]

He's not talking about coasting into a spot; he's talking about orbiting 'round and 'round to bleed off excess inertia, instead of simply braking, the purpose being to rack up more miles/gallon which is useless outside of competition.

[mcrews]

you know, if your doing all thefirst 61 items on the list.... we can let it slide if you con't agree with this one......

[MPGranger]

Maybe it's because I won't turn my engine off while coasting, moving without having power freaks me out still. But bleeding momentum, seems like you would spend more gas with the engine idling than just pulling into the spot and turning off the car.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

He's not talking about coasting into a spot; he's talking about orbiting 'round and 'round to bleed off excess inertia, instead of simply braking, the purpose being to rack up more miles/gallon which is useless outside of competition.

Yup. But you'd get a little practice with judging the distance the car will roll before stoping, and over time such a practice saves something in terms of brake pads!