Free Wheeling - Beware!!

The term "Free-wheeling" describes a vehicle traveling in neutral or with the clutch depressed.
Many drivers use freewheeling in a effort to save fuel and is common practice with many truck drivers.

By putting the vehicle in neutral and allowing it to free wheel down a hill, can cause problems when it’s time to re-engage the gear. For example, when the gear is forced in, it can damage the transmission or result in locking the wheels and causing the vehicle to skid out of control.
Freewheeling vehicles rely on the brakes to slow them down resulting in overheating the brakes, and boiled brake fluids. Therefore when heavy braking is needed, brakes will tend to fade, and give a "long pedal" causing inefficient and longer stopping distances.

Many drivers will also push the clutch in conjunction with the brake during an emergency stop. By doing this they disengaging the engine from the drive train causing a loss in engine braking efficiency.

In addition, coasting down hills compromises engine compression braking, and descending steep or slippery hills should be negotiated with the use of engine and foot brake balanced so as not to over work each system.

Glen Edmunds Safe Driving Tip

Riding the clutch is dangerous! We see this with many of our students at our driving school. Drivers tend to rest their foot on the clutch pedal, instead of off to the side. This is a very bad habit, as it allows the thrust bearing to spin continuously, and can lead to premature failure of the bearing. This of course will result in clutch failure.

The thrust bearing is only designed to run for a few seconds at a time when you are engaging gears. Keep your foot off the clutch while driving and instead place it on the foot rest or the floor until you need it.