Cruising in Neutral: Bad?

[Shadetree MKNX]

btw... emergency braking isn't just about stopping in the shortest distance...

it is having control of your car while braking hard & trying to manuever it out of harm's way.

btw, what's faster:

stomping on the brakes then turning the wheels (to avoid the said object)?

or

stomp on the brakes, let one hand leave the steering wheel (which will be useless when your wheels lockup) then pop the shifter into neutral?

If the driver has decided in a split second, to swerve around an obstacle, which do you think is going to happen first, him yanking the steering or him stepping on the brakes?

Of course, he's going to yank on the steering first. Why? Because his hands are already on the steering wheel, while his right foot is still coming out of the gas.

Because steering is more of in immediate access to the driver the timing of the application of the brakes, clutch, and shifter, become irrelevant until afterwards.

Besides, it is also a generally good idea to stop rather than just to swerve blindly. Unless yours is the only vehicle on the road, you run a good risk of hitting cars beside or behind you, or worse, the oncoming traffic, if you make it a habit to swerve around an obstacle.

In fact, it might even be more dangerous to develop the habit of swerving, than to practice the habit of hitting the clutch, or shifting an a/t into neutral.

(BTW, it's gotten more and more difficult for me to post with my slow dial-up connxn. I found out I had to log on everytime I need to make a post, hence my slow response.)

[mazdamazda]

Besides, it is also a generally good idea to stop rather than just to swerve blindly. Unless yours is the only vehicle on the road, you run a good risk of hitting cars beside or behind you, or worse, the oncoming traffic, if you make it a habit to swerve around an obstacle.

It isn't a choice between stopping & swerving... why pick only one when you can do both? That is why the ABS is becoming a standard among cars nowadays...

Believe me... the ABS has already saved me a couple of times (coupled with the brake then steer technique)!

The most memorable is in our parking lot in the office which was newly painted & wet (from the rain). A very lethal mix when I turned a bit fast on a corner... the brakes were practically useless but I was still able to steer safely out of the obstacle (with just inches to spare).

[Shadetree MKNX]

It isn't a choice between stopping & swerving... why pick only one when you can do both? That is why the ABS is becoming a standard among cars nowadays...

Believe me... the ABS has already saved me a couple of times (coupled with the brake then steer technique)!

The most memorable is in our parking lot in the office which was newly painted & wet (from the rain). A very lethal mix when I turned a bit fast on a corner... the brakes were practically useless but I was still able to steer safely out of the obstacle (with just inches to spare).

For parking lot maneuvers, it would definitely be frivolous to "slap the a/t into neutral" everytime you need to stop.

I was thinking more of regular highway traffic and speeds where the unexpected can happen real fast, and there is very little time to think and react.

My idea of getting into the habit of slapping the a/t into neutral reduces the amount of things I have to check and consider before I react to any given traffic emergency. Diving to the right or left is kind of like a 3rd, even 4th option for me because I am usually in a relaxed state, and not in a state of heightened awareness, to be constantly aware of what's going on behind and beside me.

I have to admit, leaving both hands on the steering wheel should afford you the advantage of being able to steer better than with only the left hand on the wheel. However, I would also have to assert the fact that stopping in a straight line will definitely be much quicker with the a/t shifted into neutral. Perhaps, this is what Mercedes had in mind when they decided to develop their "brake assist" technology.

Given the way this discussion has turned out, I must agree with Mazdamazda that braking and steering is best carried out with both hands on the wheel. Just make sure you know where you're steering into.

[mazdamazda]

For parking lot maneuvers, it would definitely be frivolous to "slap the a/t into neutral" everytime you need to stop.

Am travelling at a fast pace going to towards the exit... not really a parking lot manuever. Hehe. Really caught me off guard!!!

However, I would also have to assert the fact that stopping in a straight line will definitely be much quicker with the a/t shifted into neutral. Perhaps, this is what Mercedes had in mind when they decided to develop their "brake assist" technology.

MB's Brake Assist works differently. It will try to "learn" the braking habits of a driver. Then assess whether or not you are braking normally or if it is an emergency case. If it detects that it is the latter, it will electronically "assist" you in applying full braking power (since most of us don't have enough reflxes to apply full braking power). Read more about it here: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_010501.htm

Will though experiment which braking technique would be better (either clutch w/ brake or brake first, clutch later) for a manual tranny.

[likot]

Am travelling at a fast pace going to towards the exit... not really a parking lot manuever. Hehe. Really caught me off guard!!!



MB's Brake Assist works differently. It will try to "learn" the braking habits of a driver. Then assess whether or not you are braking normally or if it is an emergency case. If it detects that it is the latter, it will electronically "assist" you in applying full braking power (since most of us don't have enough reflxes to apply full braking power). Read more about it here: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_010501.htm

Will though experiment which braking technique would be better (either clutch w/ brake or brake first, clutch later) for a manual tranny.

pano kung walang break assist ang asa likod mo at nag super break ka sapul ang likod mo dapat naka break assist lahat kotse kung implement nila yan!!!