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Old 07-15-2008, 11:38 AM   #11 (permalink)
PaleMelanesian
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,321

PaleCivic (retired) - '96 Honda Civic DX Sedan
90 day: 69.2 mpg (US)

PaleFit - '09 Honda Fit Sport
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90 day: 44.06 mpg (US)
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Neutral is almost always best. Unless you're in a situation where you're using the brakes, don't do in-gear engine braking. The momentum loss is MUCH greater than the tiny bit of fuel not consumed.

On the highway, your engine braking will actually slow you more, due to higher engine rpm combined with aerodynamic drag.

My civic idles at 0.3gph. mph / gph gives mpg, so...
50mph / 0.3 gph = 166 mpg
40 / .3 = 133 mpg
30 / .3 = 100 mpg
20 / .3 = 66.7 mpg

So you can see, even at 20mph, rolling in neutral will be improving your average.

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11-mile commute: 100 mpg - - - Tank: 90.2 mpg / 1191 miles
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