Dodge Neon 2005 2.0 liter

[Natester002]

I have a question.

I have a automatic 2005 Dodge Neon 2.0 liter. What is the "Sweet Spot" for max speed with least amount of air resistence. I have mixed results from my calculations and am hoping for an idea for my next control group. I rarely ever stop at lights and I usually put my car in neutral when approaching a light. Is that bad too, or should I just release my foot from the gas? I greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.

-Natester002

[Chuck]

Welcome to CleanMPG.

Usually it will be just after you upshift into your highest gear.

[ksstathead]

With a manual, you get in highest gear and avoid lugging the engine.

Since you have the automatic, you need a bit more speed after the shift to lock the torque converter and avoid frequent downshifts. No experience with you car, but anything over 45 mph should be lower FE due to wind resistance and eventually high rpms.

I'd guess above 55 mph your FE would drop pretty fast, since wind resistance is quadratic.

Shifting to N is fine, whether for glide to a stop or as part of NICE-ON pulse & glide. I find in P&G that I need to pause a second or two after going back to D before pulsing.

Good luck.

[Natester002]

My overdrive shifts at 45 and holds to 40 MPH

so your saying that if I hit overdrive at 40 MPH that that is my sweet spot?

Also what about drifting in neutral compared to just releasing your foot off the gas?? I know neutral takes the load off the engine but is that worth the surge of shifting back into drive? (im in an automatic)

[ksstathead]

I'll defer to experts here, but yeah, if you are on a dead flat road 40 should be hard to beat at steady state cruise.

OTOH, if you have a hill upcoming or other need to accelerate, then you need a speed cushion to avoid downshift when you give it gas.

Also, steady state cruise can be beaten with DWL and further by P&G (NICE-ON for most automatics). Those techniques require a higher top speed to stay in top gear.

[Natester002]

ok. another thought. I do not have cruise control. I do have a steady foot though. should I battle keeping the speed perfect or allow the fluctuations of hills and valleys?

[Natester002]

another question (i am full of them) When I approach my street I turn off my car and ride out .4 miles. I always turn into my drive way (without power streering of course). Is this bad for my car??

[beatr911]

Natester002, driving with load is letting the hills and valleys speed you up and slow you down. I'ts similar to a throttle lock that would let a car speed up going downhill and slow down as load increases going uphill.

Coasting with the engine off is going to be OK for your car. The only thing is that it is probably illegal in your state. If you get into an accident and it's proven that your car was turned off there may be ramifications. That being said, I still do it where I feel I can do it very safely.

[ksstathead]

Perhaps beatr911 knows your car; I do not.

If your car can be flat-towed (check the manual and or RV towing lists), then you can safely glide engine off (FAS). If not, then .4 miles may or may not be ok. I roll back out of my driveway and such, but .4 exceeds my knowledge of such issues. If you do turn your car off, you should key back to IG-II (ON) as soon as the ICE dies, to bring back electronics. If you do this in the dark or rain, you should be watching voltage with scanguage or otherwise to avoid damage to your battery.

Cruise control or manual steady speed is not as good as DWL, as beatr911 said.

[Natester002]

Thanks for all the info. I greatly appreciate it. I do turn on my electronics after turning my car off so my mileage is counted for and to be ready in case I must start it. I also lonly hit hills when i travel long distances. Delaware is really flat most of the time so the fluctuations are very small. Thanks again.