Driving in free mode is gaining traction in Kenya with motorists arguing that it is one way of saving fuel, which currently retails above Ksh150 a litre.
This driving technique is known as coasting and involves a driver putting a car in neutral or depressing the clutch when going downhill.
Motorists plying Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Kiambu Road, Juja Road, Outering Road and sections of Jogoo Road use this technique to save fuel claiming it renders the engine idle.
Despite the perception that driving on neutral downhill saves fuel, it poses dangers to motorists because they lose optimal control of the car's throttle.
Dangers of Driving on Free Mode
Affect Braking System
A local car enthusiast who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke argued that without the engine being connected to the wheels, a driver could not use the engine's braking system.
"One thing you need to understand is that when the engine is not connected to the wheels, a driver cannot use engine's gear to slow down giving him/her less control of the vehicle. That compromises the safety of other motorists, " he stated.
Compromises Car's Stability
According to the enthusiast, it is more difficult for a car to take a steady, safe line through a corner when in free mode. This forces them to cross into the path of oncoming vehicles and even hazards leading to accidents.
"Remember the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has always said that human error is among the leading causes of road accidents in the country. This technique contributes a significant percentage in the total tally," he insisted.
Over-Revving
Driving in the free mode in some instances results in over-revving of the engine where it goes above speed, damaging the piston. In the long run, it can even make the engine knock.
At the same time, shifting a car to neutral slows down a driver's reaction. The whole process compromises the steering wheel's response.
"Putting a car back in gear takes crucial seconds that affect your response time," Motor Biscuit, UK car advice website, stated.
Wears Braking System
Besides exposing a driver and other motorists to danger, switching a car to move on free mode leads to the wearing of the braking system. During an emergency when coasting, a driver is required to press harder on the main brakes due to lack of engine braking hence wearing them out. This is common in cars with automatic transmission systems.
Overusing Clutch
Motorists overuse the clutch during coasting when driving downhill, which increases repair and maintenance expenditures.
Increases Fuel Consumption
Technological advancement in the manufacturing of modern cars rendered the misconception of driving in free mode downhill useless since a driver is required to initiate the car fresh, increasing fuel consumption.
"Older cars had a fuel injected into the engine by a carburettor, which was a mechanical device, with no intelligent control electronics. These days, cars have electronic fuel injections powered by an intelligent electronic control unit (ECU).
"This means that modern cars have been able, for many years now, to do clever things like shut off all fuel to the engine if no power input is required to the wheels – for instance, when driving down a hill at a constant speed," Lightfoot, an invention company, indicated.
Further, switching to free mode is against the rules of economy driving as a driver uses large amounts of fuel to attain the desired momentum.
Economy driving also dictates that hard braking and hard acceleration should be avoided completely.
Driving in free mode downhill in some countries is considered a traffic offence. Drivers are booked, and even repeat offenders suspend for exposing other motorists to danger.
