Shifting into Auto Neutral

04 Acura TSX Auto (Japan. Accord)
-----------------------

I defected from to AT after doing MT for the past 9 years...

I carry over the habit of shifting into/out N at red lites...
Is this "OK" to do to the AT ? Does doing this reduce engine/tranny work &
thus reduce
gas consumption ?
Also is it "ok" that I don't step on the brake when shifting in/out of N ?
will this cause any (long-term) damage or problem ?

Thanks

 

It is pointless, and causes extra wear and tear on the transmission, the
shifter, the engine mounts, the transmission mounts and the CV joints.
Suggest you stop doing it.

You should always have your foot firmly on the brake when shifting from
Park or Neutral to any driving range, forward or reverse.

 

||> Also is it "ok" that I don't step on the brake when shifting in/out of N?
||
||You should always have your foot firmly on the brake when shifting from
||Park or Neutral to any driving range, forward or reverse.

That can create problems when he slips it into neutral to coast down a long
grade.

(That's a joke, Dan. Remain calm)

Texas Parts Guy

 

I would just say I agree with everything that Dan said...it is pointless,
increases likelihood of having an accident and feeds your obvious
obsessive/compulsive behavior. Perhaps a prescription for Paxil may be
right for you, check with your doctor and ask about Paxil....ok commercial
over.

On a stick shift yes it reduces wear on the throwout bearing by not having
to press/hold clutch pedal while stopped.

CaptainKrunch

 

All bad habit that you should stop. Automatics are designed to stay in
gear. You are increasing wear and tear, not reducing it.

 

Thats the way I do it , leave the auto trans in drive , and put the stick in
neutral at a light .

 

on my 98 hatch, sometimes when im coming to a stop ill goose the gas,
and slip the shifter into neutral. neat lil trick.

 

As others have pointed out it is usually best to leave it in gear. The only reason to shift into neutral is to help prevent overheating. If you have a rear drive vehicle with a belt driven fan you can reduce heat produced by the transmission and increase fan speed by shifting to neutral when sitting in traffic or at long traffic lights. I have owned two cars with automatic transmissions, both rear drive, that I had to do this with to prevent overheating.

--

When replying by Email include NewSGrouP (case sensitive) in Subject

Mike Walsh
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

 

Some Honda owner's manual encourage shifting to neutral
when sitting at a long train crossing or at long traffic
lights. However, I'd avoid doing it under normal (non-congested) driving
conditions or shifting in/out of N without applying the brakes.
This kind of shifting may cause some clutches not to work
properly, (e.g. won't idle or idles rough.) Another tip, coasting
to a stop on neutral waste more fuel.

 

Having done exactly what the original poster suggests for the past 14
years on a 1990 integra without ANY ill effects I say do it.

I do it because the 4-cyl integra engine vibrates if left in gear at a
stop, in neutral it's quiet and smooth. I also think the transmission
stays a bit cooler, but I doubt this makes much difference.

....John

 

....that you know of.

That's nice. Automakers, engineers, and people with more knowledge than
you say...DON'T.

Because of worn engine mounts, exacerbated by your boneheaded
back-and-forth shifting from Drive to Neutral to Drive to Neutral to Drive
to Neutral...

Oh, well, now that might be something, there. What's the reading on your
trans fluid temperature gauge in Neutral vs. Drive?

-DS (What's that you say? No trans fluid temp gauge? You were just saying
"the transmission stays cooler" to make yourself feel important? Ah. OK,
got it, thanks for clearing that up.)

, but I doubt this makes much difference.

 

Thats funny........

I think it is an obsessive compulsive behavior on his part....maybe he flips
his lights on/off repeatedly at home or washes his hands continually, or
locks and unlocks the doors obsessively..


CaptainKrunch

 

"CaptainKrunch"

brilliant...just brilliant
You seem to be an expert on OCD and Paxil

 

I work in a pharmacy....I am getting to be able to recognize drug addicts
better also

 

I'm sure my car will explode tomorrow killing everyone in a 30ft
radius, but for the past 14 years and 145,000 miles, the car has been
trouble free.

In fact, it has been far more trouble free than most cars this old, so
maybe shifting to neutral at stops should be required!

That was a joke Dan. I have to point it out since you don't seem to
have a sense of humor.

I've shifted into neutral at stops since I drove the car from the
dealer's lot with 7 miles on the odometer. It vibrates the same today
as it did 14 years ago when it was brand spankin' new.

The engines in 1990 integras don't have balance shafts and liquid
filled engine mounts to smooth them out, so the vibration is normal
for that engine/model. V6s, V8s, V12s, H4s, and I4s with balance
shafts and/or fancy mounts vibrate less.

To the original poster: do what you want. It might cause some
additional wear, but at least in my case, that hasn't shortened the
life of the car to less than 14 years.

....John