WHEN TO COAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 268, 14 November 1935, Page 10

WHEN TO COAST

ADVICE TO DRIVERS ADVANTAGES AND DANGERS Assuming the car to be of normal design, and not fitted with a free wheel, helpful hints on the subject of coasting are given by a writer in the Motor. Judicious coasting may save petrol; abuse of coasting may add to running expenses. It is not policy to coast on an unknown road, as a general rule. It is important to be prepared for curves, hidden changes of gradient, and ruad junctions. Hills where the gradient is excessive should never be coasted. It is advisable not to start too fast. Coasting above 40-45 miles an hour is seldom wortlh while, and may have its dangers. Should the engine be switched entirely off or kept on with the gear lever in neutral? On a quiet ruad, where the “coast” will last a mile or two, it might be a saving to switch right off. Remember, however, that the car is brought “to heel” mure quickly if the engine is running in neutral. Of course, in the latter case, the battery will be discharging slightly, but the loss will usually be no more Ohan that caused by the application of the self-starter when the engine has been switched off entirely. Be sure that the tick-over is set, so that the engine dees not stall while idling. There is an art in getting into gear . again after a coast. Let us assume first, that speed has dropped to about 30-35 miles an hour, and that the car is running in neutral. It will be necessary to rev. up first before letting out the clutch and returning to top gear. Most cars are fitted with a powerful spring to prevent an accident change into reverse. This is an important point, for a change into reverse at speed would result in a heavy bill, besides being positively dangerous. Similarly, a change into a low forward gear should not be made unless the speed of Ue ear has been greatly reduced. | Briefly put, it is possible to go into any gear from neutral while the car I is moving, provided that the gear chosen corresponds to the speed of the car. If you have been ambling in neutral at 15-20 miles an hour (this can be very pleasant on a quiet road, where you are not being a nuisance to other road users), it might be better to engage third gear before going into top. If you are coasting at 45-50 miles an hour, do not suddenly engage first gear. This might be almost as disastrous as going into reverse. In any case, remember to rev. up before engaging gear in order to avoid strain. This is a case where to rev. too much is better policy than to rev. to little. If the engine has been completely switched, oft, more time will be required to make the necessary changes, and a few seconds should be allowed for retarding and readvancing th-e ignition. Do not leave things too late, or you may be caught at the foot of a ■ steep bank! Treat the engine with some consideration, too, for the oil will have settled, and it is not policy to rush up to high speeds after coasting until the oil pressure has had a chance to rise.