Shifting a manual transmission into neutral while moving, allowing the vehicle to coast downhill or roll to a stop without engine braking. It removes the mechanical connection between the wheels and the engine.
Don't use angel gear going down that grade or you'll cook the brakes before the bottom.
It gets its name because coasting out of gear on a steep hill is a quick way to meet the angels, as you lose the ability to accelerate out of trouble or use engine compression to slow down.
Also heard as
- Georgia overdrive
- Mexican overdrive
Related terms
Engine braking
A deceleration technique that slows a vehicle by letting the drivetrain drag against the engine's internal resistance.
Manual transmission
A gearbox requiring the driver to manually select gear ratios using a shift lever and a clutch.
Gear
A specific ratio of rotational speed to torque selected within a transmission.