Ford Repair: Pulsu and Glide Drving Technique to Transmission, gearshift lever, fuel efficiency

Question
Vehicle: 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SE, Engine: 2.0 L, 4 Cylinders, 4 Gears Automatic Transmission, 43,000 Miles

I drive this Ford using the “Pulse and Glide” which I leaned from the Hypermiling’s website. The main purpose for using such a driving technique is to increase the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.  “P&G” technique is to accelerate the vehicle to certain speed, like say 45 MPH, and move the automatic gearshift lever to “Neutral” then vehicle glides slowly down to a lower speed, such as 30 MPH and then move the gearshift to “Drive” and accelerate vehicle again.  I practiced “P & G” for couple weeks so far and I can see the overall fuel efficiency is enhanced obviously.  But I also found: The lower gear will be kicked-in in a lower speed without using “P&G”, but now it always is kicked-in at a higher speed when P&G is used. For example, the gear 4 is automatically kicked-in at 40 MPH without “P&G”, but now is kicked-in at 50 MPH when using “P&G”.
What cause the gear be kicked –in at higher speed when “P&G”?  Is this kind of “P&G” driving technique harmful to automatic transmission system?

Thanks

Ryan C.

Answer
i can't really answer as to the possibility of trans damage but coasting in neutral is not a safe pratice and in some states it is illegal because of such


scenario-your cruising down straitaway you hit 50mph and put your car in neutral all of sudden a car loses control coming your way you need to accelerate to get over to the side quickly but your in neutral you panic for a split second hit the accelerator but forget to put it in gear engine revs but being in neutral you don't have enough power to get out of way you get hit head on?? get the picture.

i had this happen to me in 1999 and i promise you won't have time to put it in gear and get past the split second lag time. that's up to you.