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mofo
Hobby Jingoist

Registered: 04/05/08
Posts: 2,232
Loc: Donkey Kong Kill Screen
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The Infinity Gear
#8517044 - 06/12/08 08:09 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I've been coasting down mild declines in neutral a lot lately (I heard someone call it the infinity gear), and it seems to be improving my fuel economy. I drive a manual so its super easy to do, and I think claims that it is unsafe are exaggerated at best, since I can throw it into gear in a snap if I have to. What do you guys think? Unsafe? Bad for the car? Do you do it yourself?
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PhanTomCat
Teh Cat....



Registered: 09/07/04
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: mofo]
#8517110 - 06/12/08 08:23 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I supposed, if your car stalled, it might effect your power brakes and steering a bit....(?) I dunno~, never tried it.... Who makes the claims....?
>^;;^<
-------------------- I'll be your midnight French Fry.... "The most important things in life that are often ignored, are the things that one cannot see...." >^;;^<
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TheShroomJew23
The Chemist


Registered: 11/29/07
Posts: 1,611
Loc: Temple
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: PhanTomCat]
#8517123 - 06/12/08 08:26 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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My friend ripped his transmission out when he had to shift super fast from neutral to drive and forgot to clutch. A car turned right from the left turning lane.
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 You will be missed
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: mofo]
#8518535 - 06/13/08 05:05 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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> and I think claims that it is unsafe are exaggerated at best
I don't know what the claims are, but it is certainly an increased risk... much the same way that driving with only one hand on the wheel is an increased risk. How much of a risk increase? Donno... maybe very little, maybe a lot. The big issue comes if you have to react quickly to something unexpected. Now you only have one hand on the wheel, one foot on the clutch, one foot on the break, one foot on the gas, and one hand on the shifter... hmm... time to grow another leg...
> My friend ripped his transmission out when he had to shift super fast from neutral to drive and forgot to clutch.
Exactly my point. Not really an issue until something unexpected happens and you have to react quickly.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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beebop
Nasty Prisms My Good Sir




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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: mofo]
#8518551 - 06/13/08 05:27 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I do the same thing when I am coming down steep inclines. Except I drive and auto, and just pop it into neutral when I reach the peak, and coast down. I don't see any increased risk than there already is, given the amount of idiots on the road.
just my $.02
-------------------- "If human beings were shown what they're really like, they'd either kill one another as vermin, or hang themselves." -Aldous Huxley
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HagbardCeline
Student-Teacher-Student-Teacher



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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: mofo]
#8518601 - 06/13/08 06:13 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I would have an opinion about this but Houston is as flat as they come.
-------------------- I keep it real because I think it is important that a highly esteemed individual such as myself keep it real lest they experience the dreaded spontaneous non-existance of no longer keeping it real. - Hagbard Celine
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supra
computerEnthusiast
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: Seuss]
#8519766 - 06/13/08 01:31 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Seuss said:
I don't know what the claims are, but it is certainly an increased risk... much the same way that driving with only one hand on the wheel is an increased risk. How much of a risk increase? Donno... maybe very little, maybe a lot.
I watched a show one time that was saying that drivers with both hands on the wheel can actually be more dangerous than drivers with one. Mainly because drivers that always have both hands on the wheel at all times tend to be more nervous then the guy just driving with one, and nervous drivers act erratic often. The same show they proved that talking on the cellphone while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. It was on History channel or TLC or something.
peace
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: supra]
#8520462 - 06/13/08 04:16 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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> I watched a show one time that was saying that drivers with both hands on the wheel can actually be more dangerous than drivers with one.
You are comparing apples to oranges. I'm talking about risk management, not psychological profiling of driving ability. All else being equal, there is less risk driving with both hands on the wheel should a quick correction be needed to avoid an accident. Again, the reduction in risk may be minimal, but it is there.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: Seuss]
#8520494 - 06/13/08 04:23 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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agreed apples to oranges, but I agree nervous drivers are terrible.
Folks who aren't confident probably cause a far greater share of accidents than those who speed or whatever other metrics the insurance industry uses.
The kind of folks who refuse to obey traffic laws at stop signs (not turning first if they are to the right of the driver who just went but later accelerating into the intersection after the other driver, like me, waits for them to use their right of way) or who nervously watch the bumper of the car in front of them only to end up in a collision when the idiot two cars ahead stops suddenly and they never see it coming cuz of their myopic line of sight.
my rant for the day, seriously though- folks who don't follow the right of way law at intersections are terrible.
And for the guy coasting in neutral in an automatic... how does that work when you put it back into gear? I'd imagine that would stress out the transmission, wouldn't it? Given that the transmission on automatics is kinda "dumb" as you can't control it, I'd imagine that the huge difference between the engine speed and the wheel speed would cause stress.
Edited by johnm214 (06/13/08 04:29 PM)
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: johnm214]
#8520560 - 06/13/08 04:36 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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If we really want to save gas, check the tire pressure and slow down. The gas consumed is a cubic relation to velocity; a slight reduction in speed can reduce gas consumption by a lot, especially at faster speeds. (Slowing from 75mph down to 70mph is a huge savings while slowing from 25mph down to 20mph is only a little bit of a savings.) Drafting behind trucks can also help, but again, adds risk and works best at faster speeds.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Veritas

Registered: 04/15/05
Posts: 11,089
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: johnm214]
#8520565 - 06/13/08 04:37 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Folks who aren't confident probably cause a far greater share of accidents than those who speed or whatever other metrics the insurance industry uses.
This is quite unlikely. A recent study indicated that 80% of car accidents are the result of distractions. Nervous drivers may occasionally overreact to what is going on, but they pay attention. Over-confident drivers who speed, eat, talk on their cell phone, put on makeup, argue with their passengers, etc...cause the majority of accidents.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: Veritas]
#8520644 - 06/13/08 04:56 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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> Nervous drivers may occasionally overreact to what is going on, but they pay attention.
They pay attention, but their erratic driving behavior distracts other drivers leading to...
> A recent study indicated that 80% of car accidents are the result of distractions
... hence the general anger towards "nervous" drivers.
I don't mind a safe driver, but I get very annoyed at drivers that cannot commit. Turn, or do not turn, but don't half turn and then stop to think about it; the light turned green, it is ok to look real quick and make sure the intersection is clear before proceeding, but waiting until all oncoming traffic arrives at the light and comes to a complete stop before going is probably going to cause somebody to get rear ended; it is ok to pass a semi-truck on the interstate, it isn't going to fall over on you or run you off the road... and no, it isn't ok to drive right behind the truck in his blind spot in the passing lane causing ten miles of cars behind you to freak out in frustration (yes, I dated a woman that was afraid to pass trucks); etc...
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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PhanTomCat
Teh Cat....



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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: Seuss]
#8520647 - 06/13/08 04:57 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Seuss said: Drafting behind trucks can also help, but again, adds risk and works best at faster speeds.
Drafting behind someone that is driving a vehicle that you can't see a clear path thru their windows, SUCKS.... They could quickly swerve to barely miss a stopped vehicle, and you are screwed.... And if you get close to a tractor trailer, they don't necessarily try to dodge stuff in the road, like stripped tire treads, or rotting animal carcasses - which you will likely get it kicked up onto your windshield for a close inspection.... 
That being said, for me, being on a highway is like being in a race, and DaMMiT, I must be victorious....!  But, I take driving very seriously, and concentrate on it and nothing else while I am doing it, just at a faster pace.... 
>^;;^<
-------------------- I'll be your midnight French Fry.... "The most important things in life that are often ignored, are the things that one cannot see...." >^;;^<
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PhanTomCat
Teh Cat....



Registered: 09/07/04
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: Seuss]
#8520667 - 06/13/08 05:03 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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A huge pet peeve of mine that I don't understand is when people come to a stop light, and stop 4-5 car lengths behind the stopped car in front of them....
I just don't get it.....  I always want to swoop into the empty spot, and back my car up to their car so that they HAVE to be close to back of someones car.... 
One day, I will have my chance..... 
>^;;^<
-------------------- I'll be your midnight French Fry.... "The most important things in life that are often ignored, are the things that one cannot see...." >^;;^<
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: Seuss]
#8520821 - 06/13/08 05:31 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
Seuss said: I don't mind a safe driver, but I get very annoyed at drivers that cannot commit. Turn, or do not turn, but don't half turn and then stop to think about it; the light turned green, it is ok to look real quick and make sure the intersection is clear before proceeding, but waiting until all oncoming traffic arrives at the light and comes to a complete stop before going is probably going to cause somebody to get rear ended; .
Yep, these folks piss me off. People who stop at yellow lights and such and refuse to turn in intersections. We have right of way rules/laws for a reason: so folks can proceed through the intersection in an orderly manner. When folks refuse to obey them it causes accidents. When you don't take your turn for 5 seconds, and I take if for you, then you suddenly decide to accelerate into me= danger. Just take your right of way or get out of the intersection and sit at home.
That and folks who won't speed in the passing lane or who hang out in the passing lane if they're not passing (like my girlfriend). Then the speeders have to pass on the right and weave. Still the guy's fault who caused the accident, but blocking the passing lane is going to cause an accident.
And that "distracted driver" study seems problematic. Who decided the cause? Police, self reporting (which surely worked into the police report). People make excuses. Someone who hit the car in front of them cuz they were not looking down the road but were nervously staring at the car in front of them isn't going to say "I'm an idiot and can't properly observe the road and instead nervously glare at only the car in front of me" instead of "I was thinking about supper/work et cet."
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mofo
Hobby Jingoist

Registered: 04/05/08
Posts: 2,232
Loc: Donkey Kong Kill Screen
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Re: The Infinity Gear [Re: johnm214]
#8521959 - 06/13/08 10:59 PM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I'll never understand why people get so worked up over other drivers. I just get in the slow lane, turn up the stereo, and when I get where I'm going, I am totally chilled.
I am getting mad mileage out of my coasting experiment btw; I think it doubled or more (50+ mpg?). I should try to clock it.
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