Q: when shifting into neutral... clutch?

[Idahotom]

I have several sections on my most traveled routes where I use BOTH DFCO AND coasting in nuetral. It's not an either or thing to me. I like seeing the Scan Gauge reading 999999 (meaning zero fuel flow for those without one) when DFCO'ing, it's also fun to see the coasting mileage in the 400's. It really all depends of course on the speed needed and the grade of the road, obviously.

I do both without impeding any traffic, or reaching unsafe or illegal speeds. Some of the grades are best negotiated with DFCO techniques, others are better suited for free coasting, simple as that. I don't "forget that I am in nuetral", ever.

My favorite coast is an off ramp from I-15, with a smooth merge onto a 4 lane road then a further 1/4 mile coast to the turn in to my favorite grocery store, which has a large sloped parking lot. I routinely put her in nuetral while still on the interstate, I take the exit at the posted speed, and in general make the entire approach to the market without deviating from normal traffic flow. By the time I'm in the parking lot I am going the suggested 5 or 10 MPH after turning off the 35 mph 4 lane, where I was also going 35. I see no danger in doing this, best of all it's REAL easy on the clutch!