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do you put a 6-speed auto into neutral when you are stopping at the long light?

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Old 12-10-2007 | 01:42 PM
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is pressing the brakes not good enough for you?

ask Atilla what happens when u do it
Old 12-10-2007 | 01:45 PM
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Pressing the clutch in puts load on your clutch throwout bearing and the clutch cover forks.

As per the service manual, it is not good to subject these to constant load (section on adjusting the clutch piston play).

So I would assume that its probably not good to subject them to unnecessary temporary load as well.

Think of the clutch pedal and the shifter as hot rocks. Touch each for the minimum amount of time necessary to complete the shift.
Old 12-10-2007 | 01:46 PM
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those talking about a clutch.. read the title.. says auto...
Old 12-10-2007 | 02:36 PM
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d stands for drive so use that when your moving. N is ok when you're stopped but I wouldn't do the whole drive to neutral at 40 mph thing, can't be good for the car
Old 12-10-2007 | 03:15 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by SilverStreak
Interesting question on the Manual trans, I always believed that the primary wear on a clutch came drom the actual slipping of the clutch to hold the car in position (like on a hill) or during the actual engage/disengage while starting and shifting. If the clutch is disengaged you are actually holding the clutch away from the flywheel, so there is no wear. So if you sit at a stop level and are not slipping the clutch, you aren't wearing the clutch. Personally, I keep my MT in gear and right foot on the brake when needed unless at a really long light and do not want a tired left leg. I prefer to be able to move out quickly in the event that some idiot is about to hit me.

BTW, I've only had one AT since 1970s, all my vehicles are MT and no I have not replaced a lot of clutches. My 8 has 76K, my SUV has 157K, and I had a Camry with 218K all on original clutches (although I have replaced clutch release cylinder on the SUV recently).
This is what I have always thought. If you are not switching gears, I didn't think it wore on the clutch. If I am at a stop light, I'll keep it in first with foot on the brake. If I'm waiting for a train to pass or a really long light, I'll put it in neutral. But if just sitting there with the clutch all the way in DOES wear it a bit, I'll change my practices.
Old 12-10-2007 | 04:05 PM
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don't need to do it at all. but if you really wanna do it, it maybe only relax your feet.
Old 12-10-2007 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by zerobio
This is what I have always thought. If you are not switching gears, I didn't think it wore on the clutch. If I am at a stop light, I'll keep it in first with foot on the brake. If I'm waiting for a train to pass or a really long light, I'll put it in neutral. But if just sitting there with the clutch all the way in DOES wear it a bit, I'll change my practices.
Basically, if you're on a hill and you're using the clutch to not move back, you're basically wearing the clutch out by alot. The reason to this is because the clutch is not making full contact with the surface. This causes alot of friction while it's scraping each others thus causes it to wear out alot faster.
Also, when you keep your foot on the clutch pedal, over time, the throw out bearing gets loose and starts making a noise on the 8 for some reason.
Old 12-10-2007 | 05:29 PM
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:my quick rant:
Why do people keep trying to drive/maintain/etc these vehicles in ways unintended by the manufacturers? I mean the owners manual says 5w20 oil only yet people use 5w30 synthetic, all you need is to put the vehicle in D to drive but some people argue putting it in neutral will save .5 gallons of gas. Im not trying to criticize people who do the small alterations with maintenence but why? I mean are the benefits honestly worth the risk of harming components of the vehicle? and thats an honest question, not just a smartass comment.
Old 12-10-2007 | 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Renesis SE3P
Basically, if you're on a hill and you're using the clutch to not move back, you're basically wearing the clutch out by alot. The reason to this is because the clutch is not making full contact with the surface. This causes alot of friction while it's scraping each others thus causes it to wear out alot faster.
Also, when you keep your foot on the clutch pedal, over time, the throw out bearing gets loose and starts making a noise on the 8 for some reason.
I +1
Old 12-11-2007 | 10:31 AM
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Agree with not riding the clutch on a hill that is why I use the brake as well. Hadn't thought about the pressure on the throwout bearing but I still have had long lasting clutches.

Back to our regularly scheduled post question....sounds like ATs are fine left in drive.
Old 12-11-2007 | 10:54 PM
  #36  
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forget danger and legality, if you're worried about gas mileage then remember that putting any car in neutral when going down a hill is going to burn more gas than if you left it in gear because any car in gear decelerating down a hill is using NO gas, if you put it neutral you're using as much fuel as you are when idling and then a bit more because it will idle at more than normal idle speed (usually 1200 rpm in almost every car)

Aside from fuel consumption, having an auto box in neutral while moving is bad for your tranny, all car makers tell you never to tow an automatic on it's driven axle, even if it's in neutral. I don't remember the reason but there is a maximum distance you can tow an automatic in case you absolutely have to, I remember it was 80 miles max on the old thunderbird I used to have. (slushbox.. never again)

putting an auto box into neutral at a stoplight doesn't make sense, sure you're not dragging the slushbox a bit by having the engine out of gear and saving just a bit of gas, but that's called being really stingy, it's not going to make a difference
Old 12-13-2007 | 12:03 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by Easy_E1
That's why they put a torque converter in it. In gear at a stop is neutral.
Yeah but I tryed every Co. under the Sun. No one makes a Torque Converter for our Car
Old 12-13-2007 | 12:25 AM
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yea they do dom, the one that comes factory, aftermarket is a different story, we hopeless yo!
Old 12-13-2007 | 01:09 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by SilverStreak
BTW, I've only had one AT since 1970s, all my vehicles are MT and no I have not replaced a lot of clutches. My 8 has 76K, my SUV has 157K, and I had a Camry with 218K all on original clutches (although I have replaced clutch release cylinder on the SUV recently).
Okay I'm off-topic here, but I've heard you shouldn't get an SUV or truck with an MT. Doesn't it kill your clutch when you have to tow something? (Please don't make fun, I really don't know and this is what I've heard.)
Old 12-13-2007 | 10:32 AM
  #40  
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It really depends on how well you drive with a clutch and the weight of what you are towing. If you aren't very good with a clutch, then yes you could wear a clutch towing, but realize that many of the tractor-trailers are manuals (at least they used to be). As far as towing with an SUV, I've done it with mine with no ill effects. But if I had something like a travel trailer or heavier boat that I trailed around a lot, I'd probably go auto just for the convenience.
Old 12-13-2007 | 10:48 AM
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76k on original clutch? wtf I cant even go 10k on it, well, I drive my car like a crazed maniac
Old 12-13-2007 | 11:05 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by staticlag
Pressing the clutch in puts load on your clutch throwout bearing and the clutch cover forks.

As per the service manual, it is not good to subject these to constant load (section on adjusting the clutch piston play).

So I would assume that its probably not good to subject them to unnecessary temporary load as well.

Think of the clutch pedal and the shifter as hot rocks. Touch each for the minimum amount of time necessary to complete the shift.
Someone didnt read the OP's post
Old 01-25-2008 | 09:47 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by NaarLeven
well dont expect your clutch to last long keeping it in gear at stops
lol considering that the only reason the clutch wears out is when its halfway engaged, not fully engaged like at stops.
Old 01-26-2008 | 01:33 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by CosmosMpower
Bad idea. You never want to be moving and not have power available to you. What if someone cuts you off and you need to get out of a sticky situation? By the time you realize it and put it back in gear you'll probably be in a wreck. I can't imagine that it does any good for your powertrain to go from N to D at 40 mph.
I had 3-4 people complain about this.. I'm not rolling down a hill going 30-40 mph and just riding it on N.. I meant, I sometimes leave it in neutral when there's a hill, but I switch it to drive right after, why would I leave it on N and ride myself down?

And yes, it's retarded, I rarely do it. Not saying I haven't. But on a regular road, if I know the light just turned red or if I know I'll be waiting a while, putting it on N is my best friend.
Old 01-26-2008 | 05:24 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by 4me2
put in reverse.
LOL funny SHI*




just do what ever is easy for you, doesnt hurt to put it in D or N. if you want to be cool and rev your car in N then put it in N.

for manual cars, i leave it in N when i come to a stop. i don't think either way is bad.
Old 01-26-2008 | 05:41 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by daisuke
forget danger and legality, if you're worried about gas mileage then remember that putting any car in neutral when going down a hill is going to burn more gas than if you left it in gear because any car in gear decelerating down a hill is using NO gas, if you put it neutral you're using as much fuel as you are when idling and then a bit more because it will idle at more than normal idle speed (usually 1200 rpm in almost every car)
i call bs on this statement.

as far as im concerned, the higher the rpms, the more gas is being used. if i roll down a hill at 1k rpm in neutral im using less gas than if roll down the hill at 2.5k rpm in gear. how can you say the car is using no gas? thats an out right fallacy. first, all the electronics are being powered by the alternator, which is powered by the motor. so taking everything else out of the equation, you are still using gas.

please explain to me, how a higher rpm in gear uses less gas than a lower rpm in neutral?
Old 01-26-2008 | 06:00 PM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by kersh4w
i call bs on this statement.

as far as im concerned, the higher the rpms, the more gas is being used. if i roll down a hill at 1k rpm in neutral im using less gas than if roll down the hill at 2.5k rpm in gear. how can you say the car is using no gas? thats an out right fallacy. first, all the electronics are being powered by the alternator, which is powered by the motor. so taking everything else out of the equation, you are still using gas.

please explain to me, how a higher rpm in gear uses less gas than a lower rpm in neutral?
+1

when your car is ON you are using gas. doesnt matter what gear you are in you are using gas. and N does use less gas than when you are going down hill in low gear and going up like 3k or 4k rpm. lower the RPM lower gas consuming
Old 01-26-2008 | 06:49 PM
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Which requires more throttle? Going up a hill at 3000 rpm or going down a hill at 3000 rpm? You're at the same rpm either way, but going up is obviously going to burn more gas.

When you go down the hill in gear, gravity turns your wheels, which turn the engine. If you shift into neutral you disconnect the wheels from the engine, so it has to inject enough fuel to maintain idle revs.
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