sam1023

I often switch from D to N when coasting down a hill or approaching a red light. Anything wrong with this? Could switching from N to D be bad for the transmission?

It feels very smooth when I do it, and I'm getting much better mileage.


Thanks for your input,

-Sam

SEguy182

Atleast your not going it under acceleration, maxima trannys (auto) arent known for their strength. Do a search to make sure, im sure its been talked about.

Bman

Have you checked the owner's manual for a comment that goes: "Do not place in N while car is moving" or "Do not coast in N for extended periods" or something to that effect? If not I might guess it'd be alright if nothing jolts or anything (like when you re-engage D). Just don't shut off the engine for that extra 1 mpg!

mykizism

im sure its ok, i do it all the time with my car.

but dont be surprised when the auto starts breaking, because they suck regardless of how you drive it

nismo1989

You will screw your already weak tranny...
There are other ways to save on gas mileage. It's important to save those pennies when you go to the pump right now, with prices as high as they are, but putting your car into neutral to coast down every hill and back into drive over and over again is gonna cost you way more than you're going to save.
Keeping up on general maintenance is by far the best way to maintain healthy and affordable gas mileage.

sam1023

Thanks.

What kind of maintenance are you suggesting? I change the oil and check all the fluid levels, and maintain good tire pressure, and that's about it.

-Sam

Taegost

Doesn't the tranny automatically disengage the clutch when you're coasting, much the same as going D-N-D?

nismo1989

No, it is not the same as taking it completely out of drive and then putting it back in drive while it's moving. I don't usually do that in my car and it's a 5spd...

and Sam: You're getting all the basics pretty well, but don't forget your intake (air filter, throttle body, etc.) or your ignition system (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc.). Also, routine fuel system cleanings can do wonders on our old engines. Not the stuff of the shelf you add to your tank, either. You don't want those over the counter detergents mixing in your gas tank becuase they settle there. Get a professional fuel system cleaning done. Go to your local Nissan dealer and ask about a fuel system cleaning. Should cost $100-$150, but it's well worth it.

Taegost

On a 5spd I do, but then again, around here, coasting downhill is really coasting... It's less wear and tear on the tranny if you know how to keep up the speed to top the next hill.
Brakes are cheaper in that instance, but thank you for enlightening me on that, I knew it disengaged it, but I wasn't sure if it was the same or not.

nismo1989

yeah, it really depends on the terrain...

sam1023

'

I don't think it is, at least not with my car. When I switch from D to N, the RPM's go down, and I coast much much smoother (less decelleration than just coasting, which slows down due to gear friction I suppose).

-Sam

sam1023

I will have that full cleaning service done soon, thanks. Does jiffy lube do it? There is one near by, much closer than a Nissan dealer.

And thanks a lot for all the information you've provided, I appreciate it.

-Sam

maxima_dumby

yeah jiffy does it, they will do it for around 30 or 40 bucks or so.

molehill84

hey guys,
My max will shift from drive into neutral w/o me applying the brake, I can just push the shifter into neutral as I'm moving. Is this normal, do your cars do this?

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

normal as far as I know, mine does it too.

molehill84

Alright, thanks DA-MAX, the first time it happened I was like, "God, that can't be good." I'm glad it's a normal thing.

nismo1989

The reason it seems this way is becuase an automatic transmition doesn't have "engine braking", like when you take a turn fast in an automatic and you have to tap the brakes going into the apex of the curve. You don't have the engine braking for you. This is why you see so many Suburbans in front of you in rush hour on the highway tapping thier brakes for seemingly no reason. If they don't thier inertia will keep them going until they rearend whatever is in front of them...
I love manual transmitions.

mykizism

SHut up you read that out of turbo magazine quit plagarizing other people`s work.

nismo1989

I don't even read whatever magazine and you shut the *** up you stupid punk.

WTF do you know anyway?? I said nothing to warrant you starting **** with me so watch yoursef, pal. Not sure what you suddenly have against me but whatever...

ChrisCheezer

this is not good... saying "shut up" was not cool at all,
- back on the topic: i always put my tranny into N and rev around... I have been doing this for a long time (4 months), i dont abuse the tranny shifts on drive though... i have never brake torqued it and never N droped it.. tranny still feels liek new.. (82k)

matt1sd

did i hear a lock noise?

Taegost

I believe all (Or ALMOST all) autos that have the shifter on the floor will go from D-N without pushing the button or brakes, I never use the button to shift it, just get to reverse and bring it down to Drive.
You can go from R-N also, but NOT from N-R without the button.

davis4005

Personally I wouldn't do that, and I don't really understand how it saves you a noticable amount in gas milage. When coasting down a hill the torque convertor will disengage, letting it coast anyways. PUtting it back into drive from neutral when you are moving seems like it would be really hard on your tranny.

nismo1989

Yes, it is hard on the tranny. But you're okay revving a little, Chris. No need to worry about that. However I believe that most owner's manuals and FSMs will tell you somewhere that putting the car into drive from neutral while it is in motion is bad on the tranny and excessive wear. I may be wrong about that, but I'm pretty sure on the part about it being a bad idea and hard on the car and I'll stick by that...

mykizism

i dont know anything obviously, but if u want me to go scan that page where you got that from, its fine with me.

DA-MAX

iTrader: (10)

are you taking about the Level 10 interview/article from the 7/01 issue of Turbo?? I just dug it up, I skimmed it real quick, but I don't see that statement in there, maybe I missed it????

ChrisCheezer

damn..... so what your trying to say is for me to STOP what i do... damn .... i cant help it.. i do it like 10-20 times a day. yea.. yea.. im cool i know, i drive stick-shift vrrrroooommm vvvrrrommmmm.........

nismo1989

Whatever you want to do, it doesn't change the fact that I don't read that magazine and that you sound like a total jerk...