How could I lose 10 mpg in a week of BETTER driving?!

[Atheria]

The guy at Fiat just said that my car can be flat towed, so that it should be fine coasting in neutral. He also pointed out that in-between gears is being in neutral! LOL! There is no way to be between gears and not in neutral.

Next I am calling Fiat in Italy! :-)

Atheria

[RedDevil]

If the transmission is in neutral none of the gears is engaged (each gear has a mini-cluth, it probably has a more apt name in American, but lets just get this through) so even as the main clutch will engage and spin the input axle to the tranny, none of the gears will pick it up.
Yeah, between gears is really neutral. Like Switcherland.

[XYZ]

Originally Posted by Atheria

I just assumed that pushing it nonst
op world be bad. I'll let a mechanic chime in. :-)

I'm not a mechanic. But I once owned a FIAT.

I learned my lesson. NEVER AGAIN!

When you need to get out and push it, you will see your MPG increase, because a FIAT consumes no fuel that way.

FIAT stands for "Fix It Again Tony".

[Atheria]

That was long ago. Fiats now are better. :-P

[RedDevil]

Since they are now made in Poland and Mexico
Fiat 500 (2007) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Atheria]

Since I'm part Polish, that's fine with me. The car has gotten very good write-ups in the U.K. (and I've not looked at American reviews) and they are selling WELL and every single owner I've stopped and asked if they liked their Fiat excitedly said they LOVED it. So, I don't need jabs about my car. A lot HAS changed since the 1970s.

Atheria

[RedDevil]

Was not meant as a jab, in fact I think it is great that cars get built in a wide variety of countries rather than at a few big plants in the top industrial countries.

[Atheria]

Thanks. I was extra sensitive after the other guy's anti Fiat comments.

Right now it's looking like coasting in neutral to a stop is not a big deal regarding the clutch, but what could be bad is coasting at 40 mph or whatever and then putting the car back in gear at that speed. I am still waiting to hear from Fiat USA. That would explain why flat towing is fine because the car isn't suddenly being out back in gear.

Atheria

[RedDevil]

Back in 5th gear at 40 mph should not be bad.
In my Nissan Almera I killed the engine leaving the highway (clutch pedal to the floor, leaving the car in gear) to restart the car by lifting the pedal before the speed got too low or the lights change to green, whatever came first.
Have to mind that power steering and brakes wane quickly without running engine. Always be ready to lift.
As cars get more and more complex with ECU, EGR, stability control etc. this technique will at some time become impractical, if not harmful. So be warned.

Actually, if the engine and gearbox allow it getting towed while in 5th gear may be an option to retain power steering and brakes, you really have to stand on the brake otherwise to get a reasonable effect.
But your Fiat is unlikely to ever need towing of course. This is meant for the driver you tow, to help him to not hit your nice car when you need to brake

[RobertISaar]

Originally Posted by Atheria

but what could be bad is coasting at 40 mph or whatever and then putting the car back in gear at that speed.

you realize that's the shifting process, right? every time you up or downshift, that's exactly what the engine and transmission experience.