For AT cars, do u switch to N when possible or remain D?

[Ivansyl]

for me, i've been on D all the way even at long traffic lights. however, recently i've been switching to N whenever gradually stopping to a red light.

 

not sure if its true, but heard that its a good way to save petrol and minimize the engine's 'redundant' output. but i've a query as to whether constantly switching to N and back to D will cause the gearbox lifespan to deteriorate and kaput easily?

 

will be observing my FC on my next topup if it indeed registers a higher KM/L ratio..

[Nightsky]

for me, i've been on D all the way even at long traffic lights. however, recently i've been switching to N whenever gradually stopping to a red light.

 

not sure if its true, but heard that its a good way to save petrol and minimize the engine's 'redundant' output. but i've a query as to whether constantly switching to N and back to D will cause the gearbox lifespan to deteriorate and kaput easily?

 

will be observing my FC on my next topup if it indeed registers a higher KM/L ratio..

 

No difference I would believe.

 

Without throttle input, as long as the engine is turned on

 

Whether in D or N, engine runs at idle rpm.

[Ithunk]

for me, i've been on D all the way even at long traffic lights. however, recently i've been switching to N whenever gradually stopping to a red light.

 

not sure if its true, but heard that its a good way to save petrol and minimize the engine's 'redundant' output. but i've a query as to whether constantly switching to N and back to D will cause the gearbox lifespan to deteriorate and kaput easily?

 

will be observing my FC on my next topup if it indeed registers a higher KM/L ratio..

 

no diff in fact it may consume more

 

i know becos i used to drive an auto

 

so jus leave it at d and hold the brake

[R_aquarii]

just pull the hand brake if you leg is tired

[Fastfive1]

Just out of curiosity, you can shift from N to D when the brake isn't depressed right?

 

Like imagine you're driving then you see a red light in front of you, you shift from D to N before coming to a stop but just as you shift to N, the lights turn green and you need to move off, you can't just shift from N to D like that right? This happened when i sat in an axio cab.

[Ishiwgao]

if you read up torque convertors, u will realise that it doesnt do any damage to your engine by pressing brake at traffic light, neither does it let the engine spin less and use less fuel.

 

what NightSky said is right,

Whether in D or N, engine runs at idle rpm.

 

dont change to N to save fuel, dont change to N to save your engine. All it does is spoil your gearbox faster. Neutral should be used only for towing.

[Ivansyl]

Just out of curiosity, you can shift from N to D when the brake isn't depressed right?

 

Like imagine you're driving then you see a red light in front of you, you shift from D to N before coming to a stop but just as you shift to N, the lights turn green and you need to move off, you can't just shift from N to D like that right? This happened when i sat in an axio cab.

 

can. nv encountered any difficulties so far

Edited December 5, 2011 by Ivansyl

[Nf0rc3r]

for me, i've been on D all the way even at long traffic lights. however, recently i've been switching to N whenever gradually stopping to a red light.

 

not sure if its true, but heard that its a good way to save petrol and minimize the engine's 'redundant' output. but i've a query as to whether constantly switching to N and back to D will cause the gearbox lifespan to deteriorate and kaput easily?

 

will be observing my FC on my next topup if it indeed registers a higher KM/L ratio..

 

This is old thinking. Olden days the connected engine slows the tyres down.

Modern engine tyres continue driving the engine thus 0 fuel usage as u slow down.

[Ivansyl]

if you read up torque convertors, u will realise that it doesnt do any damage to your engine by pressing brake at traffic light, neither does it let the engine spin less and use less fuel.

 

what NightSky said is right,Whether in D or N, engine runs at idle rpm.

 

dont change to N to save fuel, dont change to N to save your engine. All it does is spoil your gearbox faster. Neutral should be used only for towing.

 

ic. hmmm. ok thanks for the advice.

[Fastfive1]

can. nv encountered any difficulties so far

 

oh okay cos the taxi uncle had to come to a complete stop before he could shift back into drive.

[Scamp1]

As for my civic, when from far i see red light, i change to N gear and before i fully stop, the light turned green I could just shift down my gear to D without braking,

[Nikelashi]

I heard from a number of sources, that shifting to N will cause more wear and tear to your gearbox because AT is not like MT, AT is not meant to go neutral. But every time you do reverse parking, wouldn't you pass N to go R? If that theory is true, then those people who didn't manage to go in once will have their gearbox subjected to severe wear and tear. Nevertheless, I still remain at D. Gearbox too expensive to play with.

 

I think shifting to N does not save you fuel, because your engine will still run at idling regardless you're in N or D. But I think your car will consume more fuel if you pull the handbrake and in D. When I do that, rpm goes up.

[Nzy]

I think no difference. My previous car always shift to N when at traffic lights cuz sometimes lazy to depress the brakes all the way. Don't think will damage the gearbox. My car at 10 years old still no problems with the gearbox.

[Iiiusion]

It's possible you might save some petrol, however becos of the additional wear and tear not worth it leh...

[Detach8]

shifting to N will spoil your gearbox as it disengages and when you put it back to D it suddenly engages. there are still clutch plates in the auto gearbox to shift the planetary gears.

 

and FYI most car cuts fuel injection when coasting off throttle in D, but in N it has to inject fuel to keep engine at idle

 

so you are not only wasting fuel, you are putting strain on your gearbox and putting yourself at risk by not having any form of engine braking at all

 

at traffic lights it probably saves a BIT of fuel, but will still slowly wear your gearbox down. use your handbrake.

 

 

Edited December 5, 2011 by Detach8

[Gasguzzler]

It doesn't save petrol. Tried and tested. Been there done that.

 

The only way to get good FC is to drive expressway all the time....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or get a jaguar XJ diesel.

[Deckbuild]

Auto is different from manual, rolling on N will overheat the gear box, premature failure if you constantly change From n to d as well, just look at all those taxi driver... Best of all push all the way to P.

[KaKiLang]

I think no difference. My previous car always shift to N when at traffic lights cuz sometimes lazy to depress the brakes all the way. Don't think will damage the gearbox. My car at 10 years old still no problems with the gearbox.

 

Same with me, always shift to N when at traffic lights, old car 9 yrs old, present car 8 yrs old, habit never change. I dont think any fuel save when you cruise on N but notice the car got a better and longer roll on long downhill but gotta watch out, there wont be any engine braking.

 

Read somewhere its bad for the gbox cos the gbox switches more.