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      09-28-2014, 06:52 PM   #12
jadnashuanh
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Drives: 535iGT x-drive; i3 BEV
Join Date: May 2010
Location: USA

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If you read the fine print in most places, moving down the road with the transmission in neutral is not legal. The idea behind that is while in neutral, you don't have any engine braking or depending on the transmission, it may not like going back into gear. ON the i3, they leave the motor engaged, but if you shut off the power to it, it is quite close to being in neutral with the ability to use regen to slow you down depending on how you position your foot.

Now, there were some cars (like some old SAABs) with 2-cycle engines whose transmission automatically went into coast mode when not loaded, but the transmission itself was still in gear. 2-cycle engines don't have much compression braking and with the throttle closed, no oil getting to the cylinders), so it was good for mileage, but bad for the brakes (which is one reason why it's not a great idea).
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