Trans in neutral at stop lights

Mark72 · Nov 12, 2016

Let me first explain why I do this. I have the cheapest piece of [censored] motor mounts on my car and not about to spend money to replace them again. At stop lights the vibration bugs the [censored] out of me so I put the car in neutral and it's quiet. And yes it's an automatic. My question is, is it hurting the Trans to always put it in neutral at stop lights?

cb_13 · Nov 12, 2016

Not hurting it at all. I did that in my Escort Zx2 for years. Those cars really shouldn't have been offered with an automatic lol

crazyoildude · Nov 12, 2016

I do the same thing sometimes by habit but its not the best thing for an automatic transmission.

mclasser · Nov 12, 2016

Just remember to quickly shift back into drive when the light turns green or else you'll get a line of honking behind you!

Mark72 · Nov 12, 2016

What I really want to know is if I'm putting additional wear on the transmission by putting it in neutral at stop lights. ?

CT8 · Nov 12, 2016

If you consider the extra wear on the F and R clutches, yes will it matter ????

PeterPolyol · Nov 12, 2016

Ive done this back in the 90s for the same reason and sometimes do it now, just to get off the brake and not waste power. Some late model auto's do this automatically and the reengagement is smooth and seamless (prolonged slipping) versus engagement of the old autos (quick, positive engagement). Your ATF will appreciate not having to accept a bunch of needless extra heat from power wasted in the stalled converter also.

copcarguy · Nov 12, 2016

Originally Posted By: cb_13
Not hurting it at all. I did that in my Escort Zx2 for years. Those cars really shouldn't have been offered with an automatic lol

OMG I 100% agree!

I bought an '03 ZX2 brand new and brought it back multiple times while it was under warranty for the extreme vibration. I can remember sitting at red lights in drive and the steering wheel would literally move about 2". I've had a ton of non-ZX2 Escorts / Tracers that were nowhere near as bad. I guess it was a ZX2 thing.

JamesBond · Nov 12, 2016

Originally Posted By: copcarguy
Originally Posted By: cb_13
Not hurting it at all. I did that in my Escort Zx2 for years. Those cars really shouldn't have been offered with an automatic lol

OMG I 100% agree!

I bought an '03 ZX2 brand new and brought it back multiple times while it was under warranty for the extreme vibration. I can remember sitting at red lights in drive and the steering wheel would literally move about 2". I've had a ton of non-ZX2 Escorts / Tracers that were nowhere near as bad. I guess it was a ZX2 thing.

My 3rd gen Tracer does it. SPI with automatic. Stupid junk.

Kuato · Nov 12, 2016

Every time you go from neutral to a gear, there is wear as the fluid moves and the clutches engage. In neutral, everything is spinning in the transmission. A better option would be to put it in Park, where the internals are not in motion.

The small amount of heat generated while idling in gear is small.

Mark72 · Nov 12, 2016

Sounds like it's up for debate whether it causes more wear or not. I can say that when I go from neutral back to drive I don't feel or hear anything. Based on that alone I wonder how much additional wear is really happening. Maybe there is no way to really know

slacktide_bitog · Nov 12, 2016

Some transmissions automatically do this, like the Saturn Astra 4-speed auto. It shifts to neutral at a stop, and then back in gear when you put your foot on the gas.

So, if some cars are intentionally programmed to automatically do this, then it is probably safe to do yourself.

horse123 · Nov 13, 2016

Good argument for DCTs.

Way I see it, in consumer cars (not semi trucks or 1 ton pickups...) there's only 2 relevant transmissions. Dual clutch for performance and durability, CVT for economy.

DCTs obviously have to shift to neutral (or disengage the clutch) at stop lights or the car wouldn't work.

901Memphis · Nov 13, 2016

It's not up for debate it causes more clutch wear to engage the clutches rather than the fluid just slightly heating up in the torque convertor by leaving it in drive with your foot on the brake

thelazyhero · Nov 13, 2016

Well, I learned something new today. I've driven manuals most of my adult life and sometimes I do this out of habit. I would have assumed the opposite as there's no load on the transmission and brakes. Then again, this is my first auto car so I know very little about the inter mechanics of an auto transmission.

demarpaint · Nov 13, 2016

Originally Posted By: CT8
If you consider the extra wear on the F and R clutches, yes will it matter ????

+1 It actually does more harm than good. I don't think it helps the motor mounts either.

Chewie · Nov 13, 2016

Engineering Explained on YouTube seems to think that there's no real benefit to putting it in neutral when you're at a red light: https://youtu.be/6zzEtxJkC7Y?t=435

Lubener · Nov 13, 2016

You might wear out your linkage and busings after a long while. You will likely be replacing those [censored] Anchor mounts before that. I never got long use from those inferior mounts before they broke.

rustypigeon · Nov 13, 2016

Originally Posted By: Kuato

In neutral, everything is spinning in the transmission. A better option would be to put it in Park, where the internals are not in motion.

The only difference between N and P is that the parking pawl is engaged in P. The same amount of components spin inside the transmission in both cases.

I am not following what you are saying.

PeterPolyol · Nov 13, 2016

Correct. There's so much misconception about how automatic transmissions work and what causes them detriment, you sometimes just have to let people believe what they feel comfortable believing. Afterall, you wouldnt want to wear out your motor mounts now.

Trans in neutral at stop lights

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