Why should you never coast in neutral or with the clutch in?

Coasting in neutral or with the clutch engaged presents several important safety concerns. Primarily, reducing control of the vehicle is a significant factor. When a vehicle is in neutral, the driver loses the ability to accelerate quickly if necessary, which can be critical in emergency situations. Likewise, keeping the clutch in limits the driver’s ability to use the engine's power to control speed and navigate turns effectively. This compromises overall vehicle handling and responsiveness, which are crucial for safe driving.

Additionally, while it is true that coasting can lead to engine damage and is often seen as a practice that wastes fuel, these points are secondary to the primary issue of control. Reduced control not only poses a risk to the driver but can also impact others on the road, as such behavior may lead to accidents or close calls.

Thus, understanding that coasting in neutral or while the clutch is in disengages both the engine's capability to assist in speed modulation and the driver’s command over the vehicle highlights the importance of maintaining proper gear engagement during driving.