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Old 05-27-2011, 05:01 PM   #302 (permalink)
zonker
500 Mile Metro Traveler
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Sun City, CA
Posts: 183

'89 Dakota LB - blue - '89 Dodge Dakota V6 LE
90 day: 19.8 mpg (US)

'17 Fiat 124 - SunFiat - '17 Fiat 124 Spider Classica
90 day: 30.51 mpg (US)

'89 Metro - The Egg - '89 Geo Metro Base
90 day: 50.71 mpg (US)

'94 Alto - The Box - '94 Suzuki Alto Ce-L
90 day: 39.5 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiestagrrl View Post
Maybe you've already addressed this, but I'm curious why you encourage drivers to shift into neutral instead of park in the following tip:
"29) Minimize idling when stopped
If you're going to be stopped for more than a few seconds, shift to neutral and shut off your engine. This is one of the main reasons hybrid vehicles get such good fuel economy in urban driving."

I'm guessing it has something to do with conserving your rolling momentum? Does using neutral instead of park actually save any fuel?
neutral and park would yield the same benefit (engine has no-load) so either would be the same from a eco minded perspective (except the park position activates a pawl that keeps the car from rolling).

i think the recommendation has more to do with engine load on a automatic transmission equipped vehicle when the car is in Drive and the brake is being applied to stop forward momentum.
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