driving downhill - fuel consumption

"Mike P" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Yes, that would be because there's absolutely no springing whatsoever in either of those situations...

Abo gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I am not unaware of this fact.

Motzarella seems to get busy enough occasionally to fail to acknowledge a posting, which Pan takes as a cue to resend it.

No it doesn't.

Ah yes, because burning out thrust bearings and the fingers on pressure plates really helps you save money doesn't it?

95% of traffic accidents are caused by driver error. A mistake becomes an error, when you fail to rectify it ;-)

If drivers adhered to the highway code and drove the way the DSA wants you too, accidents could be avoided (95%?).

We've already covered this once. What makes you think that the release bearing wear caused by the odd bit of coasting will be significant in any way?

I'm a bit confused by this one. Could you elaborate for me?

Given the amount of coasting that would be required to cause this "burning out", yes it does. In the same way, walking to work saves me money over taking the car despite it "burning out" the soles of my shoes...

Cheers,

Colin.

Because it is prolonged and at a higher speed differential than a normal gear change.

What the f*ck do you think the thrust bearing presses on?

I wouldn't know. I've driven over 1.7 million miles which increases by no less than 500 miles a week when quiet and 2500 a week when busy without having an accident.

Yes, I remeber them well - and at least you could repair your own car then without having to resort to computers to tell you the fault codes!

Nostalgia - I can smell the smells now :-)

Preengaged bearings are really quite common nowadays.

But that's why you have a bearing.

Try actually thinking about it. Add up all the gear changes, all the starts from rest, and all the other times drivers typically spend with their foot on the clutch. Any coasting of the type described here is insignificant in comparison and, most importantly, the release bearing only ever has to do the job it was designed for.

Oh dear. You really are into this far too deep, aren't you? The release bearing has the stationary actuator on one side and the flywheel-speed pressure plate spring on the other. The engine is

*idling*. You know - it's going as slow as it ever does. In what way does that represent "a higher speed differential than a normal gear change"?

This is the source of my confusion. I really couldn't believe that you don't know what the release bearing is for. The clue is in the name - it's a *bearing*. The surface that touches the pressure plate spring doesn't rotate relative to it. That's why the bearing is there.

Cheers,

Colin.

It does on some cars ... I have one on the drive at the moment with a carbon block thrust bearing.

But in general you are right. I'd be far more worried about the thrust bearings in the engine than the clutch release bearing. That's why I coast in neutral, just a quick gearshift way from acceleration /or/ engine braking.

Ian

Tyres and bump stops?

Ian

Obviously it isn't safe or appropriate to coast whilst taking a driving test!!

OK, If one of us posts the question on the Saab 2-stroke message board and we get the answer from them (I may volunteer) will that be sufficient for you to acknowledge the reasons why the petroil 2-strokes needed the overrun clutch - or will you just carry on like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar? I'm not going to bother if you just do another of your Robert Mugabee routines....

No, you do that please, your own bizarre interpretation of the workings of

2-strokes will be sure to raise a smile!

Julian.

They don't do enough, believe me!!

I remember my uk driving test, it was ridiculous. I had a stringent driving test from dk when i was 18 but had to take an uk driving test to reduce my insurance. The instructor insisted:

1. The car must be in gear at all times. E.g. when approaching a red light you change from 5th to 4th, then from 4th to 3rd, then from 3rd to 2nd, then from 2nd to 1st and only when the car starts hopping then you finally de-clutch and stop. LOL!
2. You must only shuffle the steering wheel; left hand stays at left side, right hand on right side. Probably invented before cars had PAS, LOL!

Ian gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Exactly. Just like a (proper Issi)Mini or cheap Halfrauds trailer. No suspension whatsoever.

Yep, that's how it was when I took my test in a BSM Mk11 Escort (Popular) in the 70's

I took my test again 2 years ago (HGV, but I don't think it matters) and there was non of this going through all the gears in turn, to stop you lifted off the throttle, braked and dipped the clutch as the vehicle came to a standstill. I don't think that they know their arses from their elbows and just swap things at random on occasion.

Julian.