Grinding in 5th gear

[Stubek]

Ok, i have 22k miles on my 03 1.8T QM

When I am on long drives, going down a hill, I will put the car in nuetral, let is coast. When I get to the bottom, and I try to put it into 5th gear, it grinds. It only grinds for a second, if i pull the stick to nuetral and then back to 5th, it slides in real nice regardless of whether i let the clutch out and put it back in, or leave it in the entire time. I am not doing it fast either as I am not accelerating or anything.

I am doing between 60 and 80 mph, the clutch is to the floor. It will go into 4th with out a problem though.

[SAlNlDllvllAlNl]

I could be completely wrong but i've heard it isn't good to put your car in neutral and let it coast while going down the hill. May be someone knowledgeable can shed some light.

[A4 - Oh Snap]

yeah. why do you even put it in neutral while in motion? its not like you're saving any gas.

[I am armed]

If you know the exact RPM's to shift at, and I mean the 'exact' RPM's, you can shift withouth engaging the clutch. At a certain RPM the clutch opens up and can be engaged without the pedal.

I beleive that info is correct.

[Stubek]

I put it in nuetral because I get more milage, short shifting and riding in nuetral down some of the hills on my drive to work gets me an extra 3mpg on the drive in each direction....basically, ever day i save a gallon.

I know at the right rpm you dont need the clutch.

[zemun2]

It's even easier on the bike, I downshift my F4i without clutch all the time.

[I am armed]

Yeah Stubek, i figurered you did, i was just explaining it in advance for the people that would have questions. And yeah, its way easy on a bike, back when i used to moto-x, i'd always do it.

[Stubek]

Sometimes I DS with out the clutch when I am really lazy, but it is not worth it. Just not sure why at 75 I grind. I will have to see what happens if I match the revs. Normally i am not giving it any gas when I put the clutch in, I just figured that as I let the clutch out I will get on the gas and match revs then, i guess I whould get on the gas earlier.

[bbaudi382]

uh....why is it bad to roll down a hill in neutral?