Best mileage--neutral or D

[AMink]

My new job has me going through a bunch of traffic lights, one in particular that is about 3-4 minutes, which seems like an hour! Do you get better mileage waiting at the light in neutral (higher RPM's with no load) or in gear (lower RPM's but working a small load)? Just one of those things I wonder about at the red lights. :-laf

 

[Alan Reagan]

At the lights, it's neutral. The engine is going to maintain the same RPMs either case but under load it takes a little more fuel to maintain the idle speed.



Coasting down hills is the opposite. You'll get better mpg by staying in D.

 

[keimmmo]

I agree with the above comments, but will add that the trans temps rise quickly idling in drive on hot days! You will be better off shifting into neutral for the sake of the transmission as well!



Steve Keim