Cold weather tranny habit

[HawkeyeScott]

This goes back to my cold weather starts in the Midwest, and I still do it today. When I start my cars, I immediately shift the auto. transmission into neutral. I was told years ago that doing this gets the transmission fluid pumping, and is good for the transmission when it's very cold outside. Leaving the AT in Park would not do this. 15-20 seconds and then I put it in the appropriate gear and go.

I do this year-round now, every time I start the car. Any big deal either way?

 

[Virtuoso]

Probably not, but I know in our Windstar the fluid is pumping in park.

 

[Max_Wander]

Park and Neutral are the exact same mode, except Park puts a locking pin in the output shaft. There is NO difference in pumping.

 

[Master ACiD]

when i flushed my transmission i had it in park and the oil cooler circuit still pumped fluid out. i agree that park and neutral are probably the same thing.