What Is Coasting In Driving?

Coasting in driving is a technique where you have your foot all the way down against the clutch pedal when driving downhill. Also known as freewheeling or clutch coasting, it allows you to move the vehicle forward without any power from the engine. You can also coast by putting your gear stick in neutral in an automatic transmission.

The mechanics behind coasting are simple. Your car begins to slow down when you take your foot off the gas pedal. If you depress the clutch immediately, you’ll be disconnecting the clutch plate from the engine plate, putting the car in a state of free movement briefly.

Check out our detailed guide on starting an automatic car.

Why Do Drivers Coast?

Drivers coast because they’re trying to reduce fuel use and save money. Well, that’s the case for most people, but some car owners coast without even realising it. You may unintentionally coast when turning corners or emerging from corners because you need to change down to a lower gear very quickly. Sometimes, drivers can’t change gears quickly enough and end up completely releasing the clutch before turning.

Another situation where a driver might accidentally coast is when coming to a stop or while parking. New drivers sometimes push their clutch down too early before coming to a halt. To avoid this, only keep the clutch depressed just before coming to a definite stop.

Can You Coast In An Electric Car?

Yes, you can coast in an electric car, but not with the clutch pedal held down. It works a bit differently from traditional gas-powered vehicles. Coasting in an EV depends on how the regenerative braking system of the vehicle works.

Some electric vehicles allow you to adjust the regen level, either through settings or paddle shifters. If you turn regen way down or off, the car will roll freely, much like a petrol car in neutral. In other EVs, you can shift into neutral, which disables regenerative braking, to coast.

Will Coasting Reduce Fuel Consumption?

No, coasting will not reduce fuel consumption, contrary to the popular myth. Most modern cars have electronic control units (ECUs) that use fuel injection to maximise fuel efficiency. These devices reduce fuel use when the engine is engaged and you’re not depressing the accelerator.

When the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator, the engine automatically stops fuel from flowing to the injector while keeping the engine running. This means staying in gear while travelling downhill saves you money. In older cars, it made sense to coast to save fuel due to the absence of ECUs, but in a modern car, coasting is more likely to increase fuel consumption.

Reasons To Avoid Coasting

We’ve covered a lot about coasting but still have not established if it is safe or not. The short answer is no. Coasting is a bad driving technique regardless of whether you’re downhill, making a turn or coming to a stop. Here’s why:

You have less control when coasting as you can’t control the speed of the car by engine braking, also known as Jake braking. This is because the engine would be disengaged at that point.
It leads to the overuse of the throw-out bearing in the clutch.
Another reason to steer clear of coasting is that you tend to go faster than you otherwise would.
In a case where you need to react to a hazard, you have less time to do so because you have to re-engage the gears.

In addition to the above reasons, coasting is bad for your car because it can accelerate the wear of the vehicle by prompting you to use your mechanical brakes more aggressively.

Is Coasting A Legal Driving Technique?

Yes, coasting is a legal driving technique. Nothing in the law prevents you from using this technique and it’s not likely to earn anyone points on licence. That being said, you could get into trouble if you get into an accident while coasting, as you may be deemed not to have been fully in control of your vehicle.

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Other Driving Habits To Avoid

Coasting isn’t the only bad driving habit to avoid. Here are a couple of other acts to do away with when driving:

Hard braking or accelerating all the time – This is bad because it puts unnecessary strain on your brakes and tires.
Tailgating – Aim to stay at least 3 seconds away from the vehicle in front so you have enough braking distance to react if something goes wrong.
Revving a cold engine – Oil takes time to circulate after starting the vehicle and revving this early causes extra friction and leads to faster wear.
Riding the brakes – This is when you don’t completely take your hands off the brakes. This can damage the brake pads and brake discs as well as cause overheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Coasting Disrupt Engine Braking?

Yes, coasting disrupts engine braking. Engine braking is when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal while still in gear and the engine slows the car down by resisting the wheels’ rotation. Coasting disrupts this by disconnecting the engine from the wheels so it can no longer resist the vehicle’s motion.

Is Coasting Fuel Efficient?

No, coasting is not fuel efficient, especially in modern vehicles. On the contrary, it can increase fuel consumption. When you put the car in neutral, the connection between the engine and the wheels is broken. When you take your foot off the gas, most modern fuel-injected engines actually cut off fuel completely, which helps save fuel without needing to coast.

Can I Coast During My Driving Test?

No, you cannot coast during your driving test. While there’s no law against coasting in the UK, your driving examiner will likely want to see you in full control, and coasting shows the opposite. You may not fail to get your licence if you coast for a brief moment, but the examiner may record a driving fault if you coast unnecessarily.

Is Coasting Against The Highway Code?

Yes, coasting is against the Highway Code. In fact, Rule 122 of the Highway Code explicitly addresses it, saying that it may reduce driver control because it eliminates Jake braking. It also affects steering response, reduces the effectiveness of the footbrake, and makes it difficult to select the appropriate gear when you need to.

How Can Coasting Damage Your Car?

Coasting can damage your car by increasing wear and tear on your brakes. Without Jake braking, you rely solely on your mechanical brakes to reduce speed or stop, forcing your brake discs and pads to work harder. Coasting can also potentially damage the clutch, especially the throw-out bearing, because you’ll be engaging the pedal more than necessary.

Conclusion

So, what is coasting in driving? Whether you’re driving your own car or a rental vehicle, just keep it in mind as a driving technique to avoid. While you may think that it helps increase fuel efficiency, it likely doesn’t if you use a modern vehicle. It also comes with a bunch of other negatives, increasing risks on the road and causing damage to your vehicle.

What Is Coasting In Driving?