Coasting in neutral vs. downshifting

[MikeInNH]

@RandomTroll

and I’ve read a lot of comments that it wears out the throwout bearing

Ah…no. The throwout/thrust bearing wears out when the clutch pedal is depressed which engages the clutch. When pedal is all the way there is ZERO wear on bearing.

[circuitsmith]

@shanonia

Back in the 1950s Saabs freewheeled down hills - basically idling while coasting.

They freewheeled because they used 2 stroke engines.
On closed throttle overrun the crankcase could get oil starved.
I imagine 2 stroke scooters freewheel for the same reason.

Saab 93

[shanonia]

Interesting! Thanks!

My dad’s old buddy had one of them in the late 50s. He was a character, eccentric in many ways, and brilliant.