[calinator]

First off I will state I hope this is something the Cruze will learn(computer) on its own or I might have to start using manumatic or neutral more. When i'm going down hills or coming to a stop the rpms will not go down(wasting gas and staying at about 1500rpm) and at the same time it will almost make me have to accelerate down hill because it's almost braking by itself(im assuming the gearing). When I shift into neutral the car will fall down the hill like it should and the rpm's drop like they should in a normal car. The thing is I feel like I shouldn't have to switch back to neutral and don't wanna risk anything on the transmission since I assume auto's are basically meant to mostly stay in drive. The manumatic seems fun and interesting but i'm not really accustomed, to shifting gears, is it idiot proof?

 

[BowtieGuy]

Staying at 1500 RPM allows the engine to go into and stay in DFCO (deceleration fuel cut off). This means the engine is not using fuel, and the reason it can feel like you are slowing down when going down hills.

 

[obermd]

BowtieGuy is correct. The ECU in the Automatic Transmission Cruze knows to downshift before the engine speed drops to 1300 RPM. The reason for this is to keep the car in Decelleration Fuel Cut Off, which uses the wheel spin to keep the engine turning without any gas.

 

[au201]

Yup. What both the previous posters said. It's doing it to give you better gas mileage. When you put it in neutral to coast down the hill you're using more gas than leaving in drive.


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[calinator]

Wow okay thanks guys lol. I appreciate the friendly responses that these forums give. Looks like I need time with the owners manual haha.

 

[obermd]

We could only wish that DFCO was explained in the owners manual. It's not. You came to the right place to get the answer - even your dealership probably won't know why the Cruze does this, which is unfortunate.

 

[Aussie]

That's interesting, the owners manual in my diesel says that the transmission senses when the driver is wanting to hold speed going down hill and will remain in a lower gear, it seems to work really well.

 

[Merc6]

We could only wish that DFCO was explained in the owners manual. It's not. You came to the right place to get the answer - even your dealership probably won't know why the Cruze does this, which is unfortunate.

As much stuff they did to the ECO to make it what it is, they could have explained DFCO for each gear and what situations create this state.