I have to agree. Even with a manual transmission, I figure that the clutch and/or starter wear will probably catch up with me if I do that stuff so frequently. The rate of idle burn is so low as to be almost negligible.
I can (and do) neutral coast in a few areas that are in the 40-50 mph range. I avoid it on the interstates, mostly, because of the traffic changing around me and the awkwardness of speed matching the engine beore clutch re-engagement as I pick things up again. That, and the fact that we don't have any grades that can last me more than 3/4 of a mile anyway
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My car cuts off the injectors until the engine speed drops to ~1200 rpm so I can benefit from leaving things engaged, putting up with a little pumping loss drag.
I also question the wisdom of interrupting the oxygen sensing/fuel control loop by shutting the engine off then starting up again. It can cope with idling and coasting but I wonder how long it takes after startup before it's thinking clearly again
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