[elhigh]

Welcome! I'm certain one of the mods will be along to say it with more authority.

33 in this weather? You're doing pretty well, esp. if the CEL is holding your car in open-loop operation.

The first time I tried engine-off coasting was the result of an ignition failure. Since I was able to operate the vehicle safely, albeit unable to add any speed, I extended that experience to a deliberate shutoff. One click to turn off the ignition but keep the steering free. No worries.

If you continue to worry about the steering, you can either open up your column, remove the keyswitch and file off that little ear that extends to lock up the column, or you can install a kill switch. Lots of guys here have done that and it doesn't act on the steering at all. Problem solved. My column lock has eroded away under the tide of years, but the result is exactly the same.