Automatic question

[Boston Fit]

In some foreign countries, drivers will put their automatic transmissions into neutral when waiting at a red light. When the light turns green, they put it in "D" and off they go. These are countries where manual transmission is still commonplace if not predominant. My theory is that habits are carrying over from the m/t side.

Anyway, I was wondering which is the better practice from a wear and tear standpoint, if there is any difference at all: putting an automatic transmission in neutral when stopped, or leaving it in Drive like people do in the U.S.?

(I suppose the question is moot with regard to idle start/stop systems.)

[ClutchDisc]

If I have to drive an auto (thankfully that is very, very rare) I put it in neutral when stopped because I can't stand trying to hold down the automatic creep.

[six]

If it's a traditional automatic, then yes, there is negligible wear whenever you switch back and forth between N and D. But, unless the drivers are doing neutral-drops at every light, it shouldn't really matter either way.

[tankinbeans]

I've just now started realizing how much automatics tend to creep. When I was driving them all the time, only really started to drive a manual full time 3 years ago on March 1st, it was just a fact of life and I knew that I had to keep the brake matted the entire time or I'd wind up ATM with the car in front.

I've also finally started waiting at lights in neutral most of the time. Laziness has taken hold and I don't feel like tiring my leg out unnecessarily.

As for neutral drops, I've never done one. I think it could be fun...in a piece of shiite.

[Boston Fit]

Thanks for the info, guys. What's a "neutral drop"?

[AHTOXA]

Rev in neutral while standing still. Slam into drive. Similar to clutch dump launch, really.

Many recent automatics prevent that, though, by by delaying that engagement until revs fall down.

[Boston Fit]

Got it; thanks.

[potownrob]

the real reason to put it in neutral is to release stress from the torque converter. if done right, it should save wear from the tranny. there are a lot of people though, that do it from having driven manual for many years. my grandpa, who had switched over to auto several decades prior, was still leaving grandma's auto camry in neutral with the ebrake up and the key left in the ignition (in NYC ) during the years before he stopped driving.

[six]

Got it; thanks.

Brake torqueing is a much better method of launching an automatic anyway. Neutral-drops are only useful for burnouts and peel-outs.

[ClutchFork]

Brake torquing is fun expecially if you have the rear brakes disconnected and pour a little water or bleach under the rear tires (I am talking rear wheel drive or course).

Neutral drop is a good way to send off a beater that the junkman is going to pick up and haul away.

[ClutchDisc]

Neutral drop is a good way to send off a beater that the junkman is going to pick up and haul away.

Or a good way to have an excuse to swap in a manual transmission.

[six]

Neutral drop is a good way to send off a beater that the junkman is going to pick up and haul away.

Or a good way to have an excuse to swap in a manual transmission.

LOL, especially if you do it right, the transmission would drop right out from under the car for you! Half of the swap would already be done

[ClutchDisc]

Neutral drop is a good way to send off a beater that the junkman is going to pick up and haul away.

Or a good way to have an excuse to swap in a manual transmission.

LOL, especially if you do it right, the transmission would drop right out from under the car for you! Half of the swap would already be done

Hey you're giving me ideas...

[theholycow]

In which countries do they put an automatic in neutral while waiting at a red light? Color me skeptical.

the real reason to put it in neutral is to release stress from the torque converter. if done right, it should save wear from the tranny.

When at a stop in D, there is nothing wearing. All it does is lightly slosh the fluid. Shifting between D and N engages and disengages clutches. Those clutches wear. It's a negligible amount of wear, but if you want to save such a meaningless amount, shifting to N is the opposite of what you want to do.

[potownrob]

i don't buy it, and will keep using neutral and recommending it. when the tranny is shaking apart when left in drive at lights, you know something is wrong.