Putting the AT in N at lights

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Is she TRYING to kill the truck? Also, every other car with an AT.

How bad for trans? 144,494 miles. Was 144,000 2 days ago.
 
I have multiple original 200k mile ATs, and this is my standard procedure.

takes some load and likely some shearing off of the fluid.
 
What about slipping it into neutral when letting off the gas? Let's say, exiting the interstate on the exit ramp, slipping it into N from 70 MPH, no motor revs, but just that transmission going from propelling the car to no stress at all. See any issues? I understand that a manual trans could handle this all day, what about a auto?
 
I would not put an auto trans in neutral on the highway... The infinitesimal potential gain is not worth the possible need for quick reaction requiring acceleration to avoid an accident, especially at 70mph. With a manual, you simply are able to insinctively re engage the clutch, there are not the some potential risks.
 
It should be fine as long as the engine is running and oil pump is lubricating, now if the engine is off and rolling pretty far to stops, that might be another story. Neutral at stop actually saves gas because it reduces the engine load and if youre a hypermiler you know this.

Then you get into the argument of safety, anytime youre not in gear is increasing your risk in either a manual or automatic, especially when youre already moving down the road.

Only thing i can say is becareful and be aware
 
Originally Posted By: cancov
What about slipping it into neutral when letting off the gas? Let's say, exiting the interstate on the exit ramp, slipping it into N from 70 MPH, no motor revs, but just that transmission going from propelling the car to no stress at all. See any issues? I understand that a manual trans could handle this all day, what about a auto?

As long as the engine is running, shifting to N is fine. I only do it coasting down hills, gives me 120mpg for that stretch instead of 50-60mpg just feathering the throttle to maintain speed. On my hills doing this is good for about 10% increase in mileage for a tank.
As for the safety issue, I can't think of an instance where I would need the relatively small acceleration available at 55-60mph on a 2 lane road. Its probably safer to be coasting as I seem to automatically cover the brake so I could stop faster if a deer etc, decides to commit suicide.
Probably the Neon has now done many thousands of coasts with no issues.
 
My actual circumstance, which I encounter everyday, is going from 60 MPH country driving, down to 35 MPH and then to a stop sign. I've done this before and which the reduction in speed from the lower speed limit and the gradual decelleration by being in neutral, I have "coasted" about a mile at 700 RPM compared to 2100-2200 RPM at 55-60 MPH. Again, this is planned driving and takes a little cogniscence, but not an action that takes alot of effort. It kind of come second nature for a while there, but I haven't done it in a while because I didn't know what effect if may be having of the drivetrain.
 
I have been told it is unsafe to do this -- if a car were to hit you from behind, it would be significantly easier for you to be pushed into oncoming traffic. Same thing for coasting on the highway in neutral -- if you had to make an emergency maneuver you'd be unable to accelerate if need be.
 
I can't see it hurting anything, but I would bet that disengaging and re-engaging technically does generate some sort of wear and tear.

This is more likely to benefit an older car with a carburetor rather than any modern vehicle.

But if you really believe it, then it's true... for you.
 
I see no benefit in any modern car, unless you sit parked waiting for a train or something like that. There is a certain amount of shock to the drive train every time you go into or out of Drive or Reverse. You're also using the linkage a lot more, and in time it can get sloppy. Popping into Neutral at 70 to slow for a stop is not only dangerous its hard on the brakes.
 
Putting it in neutral when stopped won't hurt anything.

Coasting in neutral won't hurt anything either but is illegal in some places because it could cause the vehicle to roll out of control if the brakes fail on a hill.

Coasting in neutral often won't save you fuel either. Most vehicles can completely shut off the fuel injectors under deceleration and the transmission drives the engine.

Putting it into neutral means fuel is required to continue driving the engine to prevent a stall. You're defeating that system.
 
Another reason to put your AT into N at a stop light is so you can release the brakes, and thereby not flat-spot the brake rotors. This of course, can only be done if you are sitting on flat ground, and it is always a good precaution to step on the brakes again if you see someone coming up behind you.
 
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Another reason to put your AT into N at a stop light is so you can release the brakes, and thereby not flat-spot the brake rotors. This of course, can only be done if you are sitting on flat ground, and it is always a good precaution to step on the brakes again if you see someone coming up behind you.


If you don't see someone coming from behind and they hit you, you could become a major hazard. When you're stopped at a light the brakes should be applied, brakes are still cheap IMO.
 
If you don't see someone coming up behind you, perhaps you should hang up your cell phone and pay attention. Or ride the bus.
 
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
If you don't see someone coming up behind you, perhaps you should hang up your cell phone and pay attention. Or ride the bus.


Yea right I've been driving since the mid 70's and was never in an accident, tell someone else. I don't use a cell when driving either. Hopefully I'm never in front of you at a light when you're in neutral off the brake. You'd be the hazard, to me.
 
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For stoplights? No. But I do select Neutral when waiting in line at the commercial lane at the bank or waiting for a train.

Quote:
Hopefully I'm never in front of you at a light when you're in neutral off the brake. You'd be the hazard, to me.


If the car behind us is travelling fast enough crash through the 3, 4, or 5+ cars behind me then you were going to get hit anyway whether I was in Drive or not.
 
leave it in drive, its automatic god sake haha, it design to stay in drive when u stop. if u want put into neutral, drive a manual stick shift. I see no point of doing it at stop light or any time.
 
Many modern transmissions will Neutral on their own at a stop. I know the Aisin in my Mom's Fusion does this. Somewhat noticeable taking off in super cold temps.
 
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