Originally Posted By: gr8gatzby
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a. The injectors shut off in many autos while engine-braking downhill;
Engine braking is not a factor when revving at idle speeds
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b. The engine is braking, so you don't need to use your actual brakes to maintain downhill speed;
Engine braking should only be used as a method of deceleration in emergencies. Engines are more expensive to replace than brake pads.
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c. If an emergency arises, you have the vehicle in gear to provide acceleration.
I agree, that's why I only shift into neutral on a downslope when not surrounded by traffic, and risk is at an absolute minimum.
I think it's already been established that you're not gaining anything to take it out of gear while coasting and if you think that you are going to wear an engine out coasting down some random hill at 2000 rpm, then you have some pretty serious misconceptions about engines. That engine will be completely fine and more than likely outlast the car, barring some fluke failure. Stop worrying and splitting hairs, life is too short for trivial things like this and it won't gain you anything that you be able to quantify anyway.