Fuel Saving Tips

Coasting in Neutral

If you own a modern common rail diesel engine such as a VW TDI, coasting in neutral uses more fuel that coasting in gear. The engine managment system shuts off all fuel to the injectors when coasting in gear since the drivetrain keeps the engine turning. This also provides braking effort to slow down the vehicle, in this case the engine becomes an air compressor. Once the engine speed decreases below a certain RPM (~1000rpm), fuel is then reapplied to keep the engine running as the transmission is disengaged.