Auto car + coasting to a stop

[sannin]

I am just wondering if it is actually beneficial in terms of gas consumption, if you do not step on the gas, when approaching to a stop. Basically, you are letting the machine slow down for you and then you just lightly tap on the brake.

Also, wouldn't it save some wear on the brake pads since you are not constantly accelerating/decelerating. My only concern is that since the gas/brake pedal is not engaged, the car might be stuck on that higher gear then when you are near the stop, you hit on the brakes and the gear drops to the lowest point.

[VorteC]

I am just wondering if it is actually beneficial in terms of gas consumption, if you do not step on the gas, when approaching to a stop. Basically, you are letting the machine slow down for you and then you just lightly tap on the brake.

Also, wouldn't it save some wear on the brake pads since you are not constantly accelerating/decelerating. My only concern is that since the gas/brake pedal is not engaged, the car might be stuck on that higher gear then when you are near the stop, you hit on the brakes and the gear drops to the lowest point.

The most economical way to brake is to use engine-braking. In modern cars, when a car is engine-braking, there is zero fuel consumption as the kinetic energy of the car in motion is enough to keep the cylinders running without fuel injection.

As far as brake pads go, you shouldn't worry about that. Brake pads last very long, and they are cheap to replace...

and no, on an automatic, if you brake, the computer will not allow the engine to drop below idle (and stall) so it will downshift.