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Well said Joe. I would say its ok on a stick with non power brakes or steering (because you have just as much control as if it was on).

The drawback with coasting in gear is that it has the (sometimes undesirable) effect of also engine braking, so you can't do it for very far without slowing down, unless you're on a very steep incline. In neutral with the engine off, you can coast for miles, so it really is worth it, in the right situations (if you're hell-bent on getting the highest gas mileage possible).

The loss of power brakes and power steering is not so bad if you know what you're doing. Braking with the handbrake is not so hard, just increases stopping distance. Also there's a little residual "power" in the brakes so if you have to stop quickly in an emergency you still can. Losing power steering is not so bad in my car, but in a heavier car it would probably suck.

btw kidrock, there are very few production cars out there without power brakes. Nearly every consumer grade car has a brake booster powered by vacuum from the engine.

I can name a few cars (but mostly there in europe) you can always just use the clutch while in gear to fight engine braking.

The engine braking is the price to pay for using very little fuel but still having power brakes, power steering, your alternator, AC, etc running. :-)

joevenzon Wrote:The engine braking is the price to pay for using very little fuel but still having power brakes, power steering, your alternator, AC, etc running. :-)

Yep, in fact this is why some automatic transmissions will de-clutch when coasting.

For 4x4 trucks engine braking is something you want. With the Aisin-Warner AW4 in the Jeep Cherokee you can rig up a push button to manual engage/disengage the torque converter clutch (TCC). Actually, you can also rig up push button shifting since it is shifted via solenoids. It's the same transmission that is used in the last generation Supra and similar year Lexus cars.

AW4~=A340

kidrock, I'd go with the K&N but from what I've heard, there's only a very slight increase in HP on the 2.9L Ranger. I don't drift because I have a 3" lift but I like to skid around a little offroad. I'm not buying a motorcycle because 4x4 insurance is killing.

thelusive, Thanks. I've adapted the "pulse" for the gas. Accellerate a little faster than the speed limit and let it coast down to it. It usually works well without pissing people off. I drive a truck, so spoilers are a big no-no.

I only really use engine braking offroad on inclines and I just prefer putting it into a high gear or putting my clutch in (although it says it's illegal somehow :? )

I've put quite a few hours on my truck and still haven't filled the gas tank since about 2 weeks ago and it's only 45L.