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Old 07-28-2008, 10:13 PM   #10 (permalink)
skyl4rk
Coasting Down the Peak
 
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: M I C H I G A N
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Toyauto Pickup - '94 Toyota Pickup 2WD
90 day: 36.32 mpg (US)

Versa Base - '09 Versa Sedan 1.6 Base
Team Nissan
90 day: 41.69 mpg (US)
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To answer your original question:

<theory>

For pulse and glide, choosing the speed to engage your gear (initial velocity) should be based on what speed your transmission will go into gear at a low rpm. In other words, experiment to find out what speed you can engage the transmission and have the motor turning at relatively low rpms in acceleration. This starting point may be one or two gears down from your terminal velocity, you may have more than one initial velocity.

To choose the speed to go into neutral (terminal velocity), it should be at a moderate rpm in your top gear. Also always consider that you want your terminal velocity to be relatively low to minimize wind drag.

Coasting is most effective when you accelerate or maintain speed up hills and glide down them.

<\theory>

Driving our Chrysler minivan, I see gains in highway mpg by 1. driving at a slow speed (55mph if possible) using cruise control and !!! 2. long coasting to off ramps !!!. Sometimes I can see the total trip mileage over a trip of an hour tick up several tenths of a mile in the final approach to the exit ramp.
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