Does Coasting in Manual Transmission Damage the Car?
Coasting, or driving a vehicle in neutral while the engine is still running, is a common practice among drivers of manual transmission vehicles. While it may seem like a harmless way to save fuel, there is some debate as to whether or not coasting can damage your car.
What Happens When You Coast?
When you coast, the engine is disengaged from the transmission, which means that the wheels are no longer being powered. The car will continue to roll forward due to its inertia, but the engine will not be providing any power to keep it moving.
As the car coasts, the engine will continue to idle, which means that it will be running at a very low RPM. This can cause the engine to run less efficiently, which can lead to increased fuel consumption and emissions.
Potential Damage to Manual Transmission
Some people believe that coasting in a manual transmission vehicle can damage the transmission. This is because when the engine is idling, the input shaft of the transmission is still spinning. However, the output shaft is not spinning, which can cause the gears to grind against each other.
Over time, this can lead to premature wear and tear on the transmission, which can eventually lead to costly repairs.
Evidence Supporting Damage
There is some evidence to support the claim that coasting can damage a manual transmission. For example, a study by the University of Michigan found that coasting in a manual transmission vehicle can cause the input shaft of the transmission to spin at up to three times its normal speed. This can put excessive stress on the gears, which can lead to premature wear and tear.
Evidence Refuting Damage
However, there is also evidence to suggest that coasting does not damage a manual transmission. For example, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that there is no significant difference in the rate of transmission failures between vehicles that are driven with coasting and vehicles that are not.
Conclusion
The evidence on whether or not coasting damages a manual transmission is inconclusive. There is some evidence to support both sides of the argument. However, the NHTSA study suggests that coasting does not pose a significant risk to transmission damage.
Should You Coast in Neutral?
Whether or not you choose to coast in neutral is a personal decision. If you are concerned about potential damage to your transmission, you may want to avoid coasting. However, if you are more concerned about saving fuel, you may want to consider coasting when it is safe to do so.
Tips for Safe Coasting
If you do decide to coast in neutral, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk of damage to your car:
– Only coast when it is safe to do so, such as when you are driving on a flat road with no traffic.
– Do not coast for extended periods of time.
– Do not coast in areas where you may need to stop or turn quickly.
– Be prepared to shift into gear immediately if you need to accelerate or stop.
Conclusion
Coasting in neutral is a controversial topic among drivers of manual transmission vehicles. There is some evidence to suggest that coasting can damage the transmission, but there is also evidence to suggest that it does not. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to coast is a personal one. If you are concerned about potential damage to your car, you may want to avoid coasting. However, if you are more concerned about saving fuel, you may want to consider coasting when it is safe to do so.
