Dear Tom and Ray-- I have a 1992 Toyota Tercel with a standard trans-is-ion. I am on Social Security, so I'm trying to save every penny I can. I spend most of the year in rural Georgia, with a lot of hills. So at first, I was coasting down the hills in neutral with the engine on, thinking that might save some money over the years.
Now I am turning off the engine and then putting the car in the appropriate gear to restart it later on. I can travel two to three miles several times going to town this way. Am I ruining any mechanical parts by doing this? And is it worth the little bit I'm saving? - RobertoTOM: Gee. You really are a world-class cheapskate, aren't you, Roberto? A man after my own heart.
RAY: Here's my calculation: This car gets about 40 miles to the gallon. So if you coast two miles with the engine off, you're saving 2/40ths of a gallon, or about a nickel.
TOM: But when the engine is off, you're in danger because you don't have any power brakes. Plus, one of these days when you shut off the engine, you're going to turn the key too far and get it into the "lock" position and lock the steering wheel.
RAY: Then you're going to plow into one of those roadside boiled-peanut vendors, and he's going to sue you for $5 million, which will more than wipe out the three bucks you saved by coasting.
TOM: Besides, I'm sure what you're doing is illegal. In fact, it's even illegal in most states to roll down a hill in neutral with the engine ON! Even with the engine on, the car could stall and you could lose your power brakes and power steering and never know it until you needed to stop or turn.
RAY: So I'd stay in fifth gear and look for a safer way to save a few pennies. You can start by writing shorter letters, Roberto. Then you can use postcards, and save 10 cents on every stamp.
Dear Tom and Ray - I'm hoping you can settle a disagreement. My fiance thinks I am being excessively paranoid for wanting the car doors locked while driving. I say that with carjackings and random stoplight robberies occurring in all major cities, locking the doors while in the car is the least precaution you can take. Can you back me up? I know if you give me written endorsement, he'll take the idea more seriously. Thanks. - Evelyn
TOM: Forget him, Evelyn. Lock your door and leave his open!
RAY: Actually, you're right, Evelyn. It's unfortunate, but if you live in a high-crime area, it now makes sense to lock your doors while you're in your car. It makes it a little less likely that some bonehead is going to try to take advantage of you when you're trapped at an intersection. It's a sad state of affairs, but we have to agree with you.
TOM: So if your fiance still won't lock the doors after reading this, then you should take matters into your own hands. Have some big bumper stickers made up that say "S.A.W.O.F.F.: Semi-Automatic Weapon On Board For Fun."