Honda Car Forum

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

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004, Robert wrote:

> I carry over the habit of shifting into/out N at red lites...
> Is this "OK" to do to the AT?

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.

> Does doing this reduce engine/tranny work & thus reduce gas consumption

No.

> 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.

||> 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




"Robert" <rchin@nospampanix.com> wrote in message
news:cdju83$9nj$1@reader2.panix.com...
> 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
>
>

Robert wrote:
> 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

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

"CaptainKrunch" <nobody@nothing.com> wrote in message
news:BvadnXzRgu81GWDd4p2dnA@comcast.com...
> 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
>
>
>
>
> "Robert" <rchin@nospampanix.com> wrote in message
> news:cdju83$9nj$1@reader2.panix.com...
> > 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
> >
Thats the way I do it , leave the auto trans in drive , and put the stick in
neutral at a light .

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


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.

Robert wrote:
>
> 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

--

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

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

>"Robert" <rchin@nospampanix.com> wrote in message

> 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 ?

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.

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 16:15:43 -0400, Daniel J. Stern <dastern@127.0.0.1> wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Jul 2004, Robert wrote:
>
>> I carry over the habit of shifting into/out N at red lites...
>> Is this "OK" to do to the AT?
>
> 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.
>
>> Does doing this reduce engine/tranny work & thus reduce gas consumption
>
> No.
>
>> 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.

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