[Auto Talk] Can regularly shifting to Neutral on an automatic gear damage it?

[mikegas]

Interesting article for kedekut ppl like us ..

Howstuffworks "How to Drive Economically: Tips and Guidelines"

[Mac Daddy]

Originally Posted by mikegas

Interesting article for kedekut ppl like us ..

Howstuffworks "How to Drive Economically: Tips and Guidelines"

Now that looks interesting I bookmarked it to read after work. THX for the link Mike

[rogue_tomato]

Originally Posted by mikegas

Interesting article for kedekut ppl like us ..

Howstuffworks "How to Drive Economically: Tips and Guidelines"

Ditto for me. Thanks for the link

[Adrian Wong]

Ahh.. the tailgate tip is correct. Most people assume that having the tailgate up will impede airflow and increase fuel consumption.

I also use less-viscous engine oil, switching from 5W-50 to 10W-30. That did give me a noticeable improvement in fuel consumption.

Hmm.. Must remember to pump petrol when it's cooler... Hehe... That's a useful tip.

Too bad it didn't mention anything about shifting in and out of neutral while the car's moving. Hehe.. Nice find though, mikegas! +rep!

[Chai]

Originally Posted by Adrian Wong

Ahh.. the tailgate tip is correct. Most people assume that having the tailgate up will impede airflow and increase fuel consumption.

I also use less-viscous engine oil, switching from 5W-50 to 10W-30. That did give me a noticeable improvement in fuel consumption.

Hmm.. Must remember to pump petrol when it's cooler... Hehe... That's a useful tip.

Too bad it didn't mention anything about shifting in and out of neutral while the car's moving. Hehe.. Nice find though, mikegas! +rep!

Because it's not a good way to save fuel!

[plasma]

Haven't been here for quite some time but here's my take on the issue.

Here are the typical recommendations and my thoughts on them.

1. Keep in D while coasting downhill (or use low gear)
- Depending on the incline, your engine may rev up.
- I think this serves as a safety guide more than a fuel saving tip.
- It's important to note that there is a minimal amount of fuel required to achieve a said RPM. If it goes above 2k, I'm pretty darn sure you're using more fuel than going into N.
- I rather have wear and tear on my brake pads than on the engine by doing engine braking


2. Don't shift to N at traffic lights, keep in D.
- I don't wanna accidentally release my brake and scratch the guy in front
- I know that having the torque converter on means I'm increasing wear and tear on both the brakes and the clutch plate.

3. Don't shift to N when slowing down, keep it in D. Shifting back and forth between D and N will increase clutch plate wear
- If you're braking with D engaged, you'll be wearing out the clutch anyway - in fact continuously.
- Some say that engine braking (by keeping in D) will help reduce brake pad wear - again, I rather have wear & tear on my brake pads, thank you.
- The auto-transmission shift gears down sequentially as you slow down anyway, clutch is automatically disengaged and engaged.
- I'm not driving a too old car, I don't have to worry about the auto-transmission hunting gears when I shift to D before coming to a complete halt.


In conclusion, I shift back and forth between D and N. I think shifters are called that for a reason, they're made to shift. If my manual shifter can last a lifetime of shifting, I bet the auto one can too.
I handle my car well enough to not have to rely on safety measures that use more fuel.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by plasma

Haven't been here for quite some time but here's my take on the issue.

Here are the typical recommendations and my thoughts on them.

1. Keep in D while coasting downhill (or use low gear)
- Depending on the incline, your engine may rev up.
- I think this serves as a safety guide more than a fuel saving tip.
- It's important to note that there is a minimal amount of fuel required to achieve a said RPM. If it goes above 2k, I'm pretty darn sure you're using more fuel than going into N.
- I rather have wear and tear on my brake pads than on the engine by doing engine braking


2. Don't shift to N at traffic lights, keep in D.
- I don't wanna accidentally release my brake and scratch the guy in front
- I know that having the torque converter on means I'm increasing wear and tear on both the brakes and the clutch plate.

3. Don't shift to N when slowing down, keep it in D. Shifting back and forth between D and N will increase clutch plate wear
- If you're braking with D engaged, you'll be wearing out the clutch anyway - in fact continuously.
- Some say that engine braking (by keeping in D) will help reduce brake pad wear - again, I rather have wear & tear on my brake pads, thank you.
- The auto-transmission shift gears down sequentially as you slow down anyway, clutch is automatically disengaged and engaged.
- I'm not driving a too old car, I don't have to worry about the auto-transmission hunting gears when I shift to D before coming to a complete halt.


In conclusion, I shift back and forth between D and N. I think shifters are called that for a reason, they're made to shift. If my manual shifter can last a lifetime of shifting, I bet the auto one can too.
I handle my car well enough to not have to rely on safety measures that use more fuel.

Keeping the auto transmission in D will definitely rev up the engine. Instead of idling at around 900 RPM, my car's engine idles at around 1600 RPM going down hill when engaged in drive mode.

Of course, there's also the problem of the engine automatically braking the car as it goes downhill. Instead of coasting and even accelerating downhill, I have to step on the pedal to keep the speed up.

I'm confused about no. 2 though. Why not shift to N at the traffic lights. If you do, you won't have to worry about hitting the guy in front.

Hmm.. As for no. 3, the auto transmission actually uses a torque converter, right? So, being continuously engaged should not wear it down. But if that's true, then disengaging and engaging it again and again should also not wear it down. I'm confused!

[Chai]

Looks like you never have auto box breaking down on you before. I've seen and driven a few cars till the auto-box have to be replaced. Good luck.

Engine braking wears engine? What exactly does it wear? Engine probably last far longer than any other parts of the car including gearbox, brakes, clutch etc. Do you know that when the transmission is not engaged to the engine, it's easier to lose control of your car, not even constant braking will save you, unless you are travelling very slow. There's a reason why road signs warn you to use low gear when going down hill.

The thing that worries me is, most auto-box tend to give problems after 10 years. But manual gearbox is still perfectly fine, and in most cases, last longer than engine, but I most probably changed to a newer car by then.

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by Chai

Looks like you never have auto box breaking down on you before. I've seen and driven a few cars till the auto-box have to be replaced. Good luck.

Engine braking wears engine? What exactly does it wear? Engine probably last far longer than any other parts of the car including gearbox, brakes, clutch etc. Do you know that when the transmission is not engaged to the engine, it's easier to lose control of your car, not even constant braking will save you, unless you are travelling very slow. There's a reason why road signs warn you to use low gear when going down hill.

The thing that worries me is, most auto-box tend to give problems after 10 years. But manual gearbox is still perfectly fine, and in most cases, last longer than engine, but I most probably changed to a newer car by then.

Wah... What cars were those? And how much did it cost you?

Hmm.. My biggest worry going downhill for extended periods of time (like in Genting) is the brakes overheating and becoming useless.

[NeoSquall]

always go down hill in gear.. let the help you brake.. haha.. safety feature.. so that ur brakes wont overheat.. its not sexy to have your brakes overheating.. its very very very scary... happened to me after a spirited run downhill.. braking distance doubled..

actually... is it true that when your foot is off the throttle and you are in gear going downhill and your car revs more than 3k RPM you are consuming more fuel compared to idling at low RPM? think about it.. your foot is off the throttle.. butterfly valve is closed.. little air is going thru your MAP sensor(if you have TPS.. then the butterfly valve will inform the ECU).. thus making the ECU think that you are in idle mode.. which means its the same as putting it to N..

sensible? if more fuel is going in.. dont you think you will go downhill faster because its the same as you stepping down on the throttle..?

man.. Im bad in explaning.. haha.. hope you guys understand..