Should I put a kill switch in an automatic 2000 Civic?

[Mira]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

One more super inexpensive mod I'd highly recommend (if you're a skilled driver): put in an engine kill switch, and kill that I.C.E. when you don't need it to be running. It'll be good for another 5-10% boost in MPG, easily.

Hey Metro. My civic is an auto.. Would a kill switch be as effective for me really? If I were planning to do EOC at every glide after every pulse.. I'd have to key back on each time (?) which partially defeats the purpose I think. But it would still be effective for the times I already use EOC, when I can safely coast for periods of more than 30 seconds. Otherwise i just use N. And the SGII wouldn't black out for a few seconds.

Is it better (for the engine health over time) to use a kill switch rather than keying off so often?

So much to know..

[MetroMPG]

(Hope you don't mind I moved your question to a separate thread...)

First question is whether you can safely coast your automatic in N with the engine off without potentially damaging the transmission. Cars designed to be "flat towed" (which maintain lubrication) can do this.

It makes no real difference to the engine itself (mechanically) whether you stop it via the key or a kill circuit.

But you're right in that you'll have to key start every time, so whether it's worth adding a switch (assuming it's OK for your transmission) is debatable.

[Xist]

Everybody tells me that if I install a kill switch [on my car with an automatic transmission], I will make puppies all over the world cry.