Quote:
Originally Posted by Celica00
also, when coasting in traffic or anticipating a stop or just general decelaration, always put the clutch in asap which acts as if your car is in neutral while youre still moving, greatly improves mpg
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I think with no input on the gas pedal, the engine will try to stay at idle speed. If you are getting off the freeway for example and you push the clutch in to coast to a stop, you are spending that fuel needed to idle for the entire time you have the clutch in or are in neutral. If you leave it in gear however, the wheels turning connected to the engine will keep the engine spinning faster than idle so the engine will give no fuel. This saves fuel and brake pads, I just wouldn't recommend downshifting to brake.
Other tips are to start slow and if you are on flat ground going a constant speed, put it in 6th where you can put around at a low rpm. try to reduce inconsistent speeds, if you usually go on a road at 50mph, but you know there is a turn you have to slow to 30mph then speed back up, try just going 30 and never have to slow/speed up. If you are running errands, go to your furthest destination first, this will allow your engine to warm up completely so you get better mileage on the shorter runs back.
There are plenty of other ways but these are things that are easiest to change and most people don't think about when trying to get the most mpg. I'm at 31.5mpg now and I only drive city, less than 5 miles to work.