I have been driving manual vehicles all my life and I pull into neutral, let
er idle, and coast all the time.
When down hill or a long braking stop like off ramps with no traffic nearby.
Once at full stop back into first and start over again.
Much better than downshift and braking. pads are cheap.

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 8:38 PM
Subject: Rolling Friction of a Vanagon (not a tire thread)!

> I have a favorite spot along a certain road, and I like to see just how
> much push momentum will give my 88 GL from a certain hill and at a
> certain speed in certain configurations when I crest that hill. I
> disengage the engine and just let the ol' 88 GL roll to see how far it
> will go.
>
> My question is: Which scenario below will offer the least resistance or
> friction to oppose momentum.
>
> Given:
>
> Scenario #1: At speed, the clutch is depressed, the transmission is
> placed in neutral, then  the clutch pedal is released and remains there
> until roll out is complete
>
> Or;
>
> Scenario #2: At speed,  the engine is disengaged from the tranny by
> simply pushing in the clutch and holding it there until my roll-out is
> completed.
>
> Anyone ever looked at this difference?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver