Pop in Neutral at Red Light?

[fantastic]

I never do something like that...
However, There may be some manuals that suggest putting the automatic transmission into neutral if extended idling but a stop light is not extended in my experience.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Some thing else what is the recommended time to do a torque converter stall speed test, and why?

Now most engines are idling at some where near 700 rpms at a stop light, this means your running close to half the stall speed test rpms, sitting at a stop light. Just saying.

 

[andrew_j]

Never.

You'll be causing a small amount of wear having those 1st gear clutches apply and release all the time. Not a lot, but more than you would just leaving it there.

Although if your vehicle has auto stop-start it might be handled differently.

With my manual transmission cars I usually knocked it into neutral while coming up to the stop if I knew I was going to be coming to a complete stop. Usually without the clutch being involved.

The risk is if you need to move car immediately you have a delay. If your leg hurts holding brake guessing your reaction time might be lower.

Case in point, stopped in dead traffic, peeked in mirror, and driver in truck not realizing traffic stopped was closing fast on me. I moved immediately pulled left into guardrail area passing a few cars. The car beside me got bumped hard. I would have gotten crushed as he occupied my space I left.

 

[grasscutter]

I held my foot on the brake the whole day today. It wasn't too bad. I envy you manual transmission guys.

 

[Arc]

I held my foot on the brake the whole day today. It wasn't too bad. I envy you manual transmission guys.

I keep hearing people talk about added wear but it's no different than putting it in gear every single time you want to move the vehicle. It won't hurt the transmission, it's designed to go in and out of gear. Your engine and transmission heats up pretty fast at long stops when left in gear.

 

[KrisZ]

I used to with my old Chevy as it pulled quite hard while idling, but only during prolonged stops. But the new automatics hardly pull at all and my right leg definitely doesn’t strain.

 

[Capt W]

I've done this for decades during lengthy stops (let's say longer than 10-15 seconds) on level ground in both manual- and auto-equipped cars without a single transmission issue. The "extra wear" argument is nonsense, as the added shifting is no more than someone who may short-trip their vehicles or make frequent stops. Maintain your vehicle and you'll be just fine.

 

[nomas]

I can't think of any reason why I should .

 

[Carmudgeon]

My Accord has a brake hold feature that will let you rest your leg at a light. Basically, it applies the brakes for you when you hit 0 mph and holds them until you tap the gas again. I don't care for it.

Wonderful.

More features to condition drivers to disengage their brains (most never engage them to begin with) so that they don't have to conscientiously maintain control of their vehicle while waiting for a signal to change.

 

[opus1]

Automatic: leave it in gear and hold the brake, unless I'm at a train crossing, then I go into park.

Manual: Neutral, foot off of the clutch. Holding the clutch pedal down stresses the throwout bearing.

 

[iCurious]

Good thing on the newer vehicles have brake hold function.

 

[Exhaustgases]

The only thing that can wear is the shift linkage, shift cables, shift switches or what ever the latest junk is now.
But then some cars used clutch cables and they get a lot of exercise, and last for years one in particular so far is at 29 years. So ?

 

[super20dan]

i once bought a car with a brand new amco auto trans . thhe paper work from amco that was in the glove box said to put car in neutral at stop lights if sitting longer than 1 min.

 

[GSCJR]

Yes I put it in neutral if it has just turned red.

+1