I have an auto, I constantly put the car in neutral when i'm braking, slowing down, and even on some turns. Is this bad for my car?

I figure I'll be saving some gas and brake pads.

JT

 

Some words of wisdom from moderator clee:

"Gas and brake pads are easier and cheaper to replace than a transmission."

"Don't drive an auto like a 5 speed. If you want to drive like a 5 speed, go buy a 5 speed."

 

i hear the "riceboys" like to put their cars in N at the light and let the car roll back so it looks like a manual tranny

 

I do that and I'm not a riceboy

 

yes you are

 

you are too.:

 

but I don't have any mods or stickers

 

no, it's fine what you're doing. In fact, it might save wear, tear. But be very careful when you put it back into D while moving...like 5sp, u gotta rev-match.

Another thing is control...when you're in neutral (5sp and auto), you lose some control. Say you need to get outta an emergency situation...u gotta put the car back into gear then get on the gas. regardless of tranny, if you don't slip the gear smoothly, you're gonna jerk and possibly spin out. Just leave it in gear to be safe.

Finally, when you're completely stopped, go ahead and put the car into neutral...let the tranny cool a lil.

Jae

 

What about holding down the brakes, revving the engine, then letting to of the brake to get a faster start? Does that mess up the transmission?

 

Hey Thurz,
while moving I put in neutral and let the rpm go to the lowest and then put it back to drive. I don't feel any jerking. Is that fine also?

JT

 

I would think that it will wear out your tires more than anything.

JT

 

Short Answer = Yes

But launching a 5spd hard will mess it up eventually. Everything in moderation and you should be ok.

 

do the rpm's shoot up when you put it back into gear? Have you ever driven 5sp before? Just pretend you're driving 5sp...if you're rolling 35mph in neutral, push clutch down, shift to 2nd, and release the clutch, i'm sure the rpms would go sky high...probably not a good thing.

Anyways...depends on rev-matching. If the rpms are low, you should be all good.

Jae

 

I know it'll heat up your tranny fluid. I'd assume your torque converter might get messed up. Dunno much more than that.

What you might try is "hot flashing". You hold the brake with left foot (pretend it's a clutch). Then gas 1/2way and simultaneously let go of the brake. Some GTP draggers use this technique and get nice launches. The problem is trying to gas the right amount and let off the brake at the right time.

Jae

 

break torquing is bad bad for your tranny.

 

yah. i said that.

Jae

 

Although probably worse on your torque converter than the tranny, it gets plenty of hell just from the way we all drive

 

I have 5sp...no tc for me, right?
Jae

 

right.