Engine Braking vs Coasting - Explained and Tested

In this video, we dive deep into the concepts of engine braking and coasting, comparing their benefits and drawbacks. Whether you're an experienced driver or a car enthusiast, understanding these techniques can help you improve your driving efficiency and vehicle control.

1. What is Engine Braking?

Learn about engine braking, how it works, and when to use it. We'll explain the mechanics behind engine braking and its advantages in various driving situations. Discover how engine braking can help you maintain control on downhill slopes and save wear on your brake pads.

2. What is Coasting?

Understand coasting and its role in fuel efficiency. We’ll cover the basics of coasting, when it’s appropriate, and the potential risks involved. See how coasting can affect your vehicle’s performance and safety.

3. Real World Test

Watch our real-world test comparing engine braking vs. coasting. We'll show you practical scenarios, measure fuel consumption, and analyze the impact on vehicle control. Find out which method is more efficient in different driving conditions.

4. Conclusion

We’ll wrap up with a comprehensive conclusion, summarizing the key takeaways from our comparison. Learn which technique is best for you depending on your driving style and the type of terrain you encounter.

00:00 Intro
00:40 What is Engine Braking
01:56 What is Coasting
03:10 Real World Test
07:16 Results
07:39 Conclusion

[JBreezzBeatz]

Manifesting 1M subs for you man. Your content is in a league of its own

[FinesseBTW]

An important point worth mentioning is the safety aspect. In every scenario I can think of, engine braking is safer than coasting in neutral. When you're in neutral, you just abuse the brakes as it's your only way to slow down. Not only does this wear out your brakes way more, but it also drastically reduces their ability to slow down your car in the event of an emergency (especially downhill). In other scenarios, you might need to use the throttle to avoid an accident (say a sudden obstruction in the road). Having the car in gear means you can act instantly, while having it in neutral puts a small delay before you can accelerate to avoid an accident. I find that the car behaves a lot more predictably when in gear than when it's coasting in neutral. Plus, being in gear allows you to use throttle to correct slides/spins in low-grip scenarios.

You just have way more control over the car when it's in gear, which naturally makes it safer. Personally, I'm willing to sacrifice a couple mpg for this reason (and to save my brakes, which could partially offset the cost of 1mpg difference).

[davidicusb]

coasting with the engine off is the best of both worlds... but you lose power steering and vacuum for your brakes! :D

[crisp]

0:50 "Engine Braking is not using the clutch to slow down the car". Funny how this is the case but with the 3 driving instructors I had they all insisted that it was engine braking. Good luck to their clutch I guess.

[pabeto]

I agree. Ive been reading the comments and paid attention to your explanations and you are right. Engine brake for stopping or keeping the car at a reasonable speed down a hill, coasting for when engine brake is too much brake (less likely scenario). Maybe in some hills engine brake or coasting is not the better way but it is to lift just a bit. I hope I am comprehensible.

[ham_ham]

Learning everyday with your vids mate. I've been driving manual all my life still found new stuff

[abdulwakil]

ok so i have to admit i have been watching your channel without being subscribed for a few months, but i cant do this anymore so im subscribing!

[davidruizorti]

Some modern MHEV cars automatically coast with the engine turned off getting crazy fuel economy. I've seen a 1.3 petrol Renault Arkana get 5.4L/100km (52.3 mpg UK). It's not a powerful car at 158bhp, but certainly impressive for a family SUV.

[MrDylanButton]

This applies to regular driving too, wack it into neutral at the top of a hill then back into gear at the very bottom. things like that. got like 53.7mpgs out of a 1.6golf doing it once on my commute, granny driving.

[darius]

Well, i will always think engine braking is more efficient, after all modern cars cut off fuel injection when you do that, and if it is an automatic they shift in the highest gear, reaching almost the same resistance as coasting. Great video anyway!

[grigorvalchanov]

Important thing to notice when going on big descents regarding coasting vs engine braking. There are very steep mountain roads near my city and it seems like a lot of people get confused when it comes to going downhill, especially on steep tight turns etc. The best & safest way is using engine braking on a lower gear and higher rpms so you get more "engine braking". Otherwise if you coast down the hill you'll wear out and overheat the brakes in no time which is a big no no. Using the engine as main braking source means you'll have to use the breaks less and it still uses no fuel. On newer cars injectors shut off automatically and spray no fuel when engine braking.

[eleftheriosgkioulekas]

I love engine breaking! Have been doing a hell of a lot more of it ever since you mentioned it in passing in a previous vid. But, to be honest, accelerating after a complete stop more fun!

[rayjennings]

Having been taught to drive in 1966 by driving a 3½ton Army Bedford, engine braking was paramount. Up until a year ago - 2023, when I bought my first automatic, engine braking was my preferred driving method and it always meant that I was probably already in the correct gear for the moment when I began to pick up speed again!
There were times however, when, as a poorly paid soldier, I would coast at every opportunity.

[ytbusernamelol]

Thank you for this video, is really helpful. I love your videos and the way you explain things! Keep it up fam, I am not from the UK btw.

[ddlow]

Thanks for the nice video Mick. Any chance you have and OBDII data recorder? That should tell you the instantaneous fuel injection, maybe the inclination and you can make pretty graphs.

[carsandcigars]

I would just add, that driving in neutral can be dangerous, as you have no power in case of emergency, perhaps an oncoming car, somebody cutting over, coming in from the back at high speed, etc.But it is a nice feeling, just use it responsibly :)

[RevHardt]

You can control the amount of engine braking to be induced by not letting off the throttle entirely. There's a sweet spot just lower than that of maintenance throttle where the transmission gets unloaded the most while still remaining connected. This can maximize the glide effect without sacrificing the safety of being in gear.

[rsingh.]

I do engine breaking all the time and coasting once in a while but interesting results you got there. :)

[TimpBizkit]

Engine braking doesn't use fuel while you're using it (above a certain rpm), but in neutral you can begin the slow down earlier without the car going too slow. So use engine braking on downhill and low speed limit at bottom and coast when you can keep going. Some people turn the engine off to coast to get the best of both worlds but can be dangerous in certain circumstances.
I mean you can fail your driving test for extended coasting, but it does have its uses for lowering your rolling resistance because you are not moving those engine cylinders up and down as quickly when you don't need them. Sure you are using a bit of fuel to keep it idling but you don't have to accelerate as much when you finish the coast.

[doja]

Hey Mick! Loves your videos and have been watching for a while now. Just wondering, what’s the name of your bag that you have in the passenger side in all of your videos? It looks very nice and organized.