Question re Automatic Transmission Driving Technique

[niky]

I have one very good reason for you to shift into N at the stoplight. ATF temperature.

Whether or not you shift into Neutral, your torque converter will have to re-engage anyway when you pull out from the stoplight, as it's disengaged completely at idle. I usually just shift back into D before releasing the brakes.

While the torque converter is disengaged at idle, it's still connected as long as you're in D. While you're in D at a stop, there's more friction, as the torque converter is torn between the transmission wanting to push the car forward and the brakes holding it back. This causes more heat in the Automatic Transmission Fluid as it is pushed through the torque converter, and more pressure on the brakes.

Hot ATF in traffic can cause premature wear of the transmission. Hot brakes also wear down more quickly. There's a reason AT cars eat up brake pads like rice cakes and require new brake discs more often than manuals.

Most driving instructors don't want you to shift into neutral while the car is moving, as you can't react to road emergencies right away, but at the stoplight, you're not going anywhere anyway.

So... if the light has just turned red... shift it into N. Save yourself some brake pad, and keep your ATF cool.

[karlbo]

I have one very good reason for you to shift into N at the stoplight. ATF temperature.

Whether or not you shift into Neutral, your torque converter will have to re-engage anyway when you pull out from the stoplight, as it's disengaged completely at idle. I usually just shift back into D before releasing the brakes.

While the torque converter is disengaged at idle, it's still connected as long as you're in D. While you're in D at a stop, there's more friction, as the torque converter is torn between the transmission wanting to push the car forward and the brakes holding it back. This causes more heat in the Automatic Transmission Fluid as it is pushed through the torque converter, and more pressure on the brakes.

Hot ATF in traffic can cause premature wear of the transmission. Hot brakes also wear down more quickly. There's a reason AT cars eat up brake pads like rice cakes and require new brake discs more often than manuals.

Most driving instructors don't want you to shift into neutral while the car is moving, as you can't react to road emergencies right away, but at the stoplight, you're not going anywhere anyway.

So... if the light has just turned red... shift it into N. Save yourself some brake pad, and keep your ATF cool.

nice one... niky... thanks.... i'll take it a good point...

[niky]

Oh, downhill? Leave it in "D". Or "2" if it's a steep descent. More controlled. Not good for your ATF if you're freewheeling the whole time, but safety first.

[av8or5]

niky brought up a good point. thanks for that. but i disagree on this portion "if the light has just turned red... shift it into N. Save yourself some brake pad" if your already come to a halt, and just pressing the brake so it doesnt move, I don't think you are wearing the brake pads. just more pressure sa brake master.IMO.

[theveed]

Yes, never shift to N sa AT pag gumagalaw hehe...

Use logic, use common sense when determining when to shift to N, kung sobrang short stop, meaning nakikita mo nadin naman that the light will turn green soon or the traffic ahead will be moving in a few secs, don't bother moving it to N. But if you're faced with a 1-2 min stoplight or a jam, doesn't make sense to keep it in gear.

[ILuvDetailing]

thanks for the info niky.

Pansin ko lang sa ibang mga drivers, on a stoplight the shift it to "P", I don't know if this puts more wear on your A/T. I usually keep it at "d" during short stops, then shift to neutral if traffic is heavy.

[theveed]

This might help understand the complex nature of AT...

http://www.familycar.com/transmission.htm

[edpsison]

I have a delica 4 x 4 (automatic) for five years, the problem am encountering now was everytime I press the accelerator running of 80~100 kph suddenly engine will shift to lower gear and upon release a bit of the accelerator then it will increase the speed. Can anyone help me if what is the problem? Is it my auto-transmission is to be overhaul. Please help guys.. thx a lot

[nujbc11111]

pano yung mga cvt?

[Noel Salisipan]

pano yung mga cvt?

Mas simplified na ito, wala ng O/D, L1/L2...

P - if you want to secure the car (Park, leave a car for a moment ie checking the tire in the middle of long drive while the engine is running)

R - Reverse (dont put here unless the car was on a total stop plus foot on the the brake.)

N - Neutral (mostly used on a level highway/road)

D - Drive (to move from one place to another via a/t)

D+/- - Manual shifting

[desert fox]

Kapag nakahinto, put it in N, para less stress sa tranny, nakaengage kasi mga clutches nya kapag nasa D siya...

Avoid shifting to N when the car is moving.....

Follow the sked of the PM and use the correct oil and filter.

[theveed]

http://www.2pass.co.uk/auto.htm

FAQ about Automatics:-
In a automatic car when you stop at lights or at a give way sign do you need to put the car into "park" or "neutral" or put the handbrake on in either of these , or just brake?
From time to time you will stop in traffic. On these occasions you need to make sure that the car is secure. Whether driving a manual or automatic, it's a good idea to use the handbrake to secure the car when you stop for more than a moment. This helps to prevent the car from being shunted forward if hit from behind.
In an automatic it's even more important to use the handbrake; if you are hit from behind the car will try to take off! Stay in drive so that you are ready to move and apply the handbrake firmly.
If waiting a long time, apply the handbrake and then select neutral. This removes the chance of 'creep' if the handbrake is not securely applied.
When parking use the 'park' position as soon as you stop. This locks the transmission.

[niky]

P is just pushing it... kung matamaan ka ng ibang kotse... eh di sira din ang parking brake? Just use the E-brake or handbrake if you're going to take that long... :lol: ... N is enough, if you're on your brakes.

Even if the car is at a complete stop, having it in D while on the brakes still means the engine is pushing against the brakes. Tama ka rin, not much more wear on the pads, but you're using gas and heating the ATF for nothing. If it's going to be a longer than fifteen second stop, putting it in N is a good idea.

[umzzzzz]

putting the transmission to N while downhill gives your brakes a hard job. use 2 instead or L so that the engine will brake for you... pero wag ka magsshift pag mabilis ka pa...doing so will damage the engine naman. pero..imo...mas matibay ang A/T kesa M/T...

[ILuvDetailing]

its still best leave it at "D" when coasting or on a downhill stretch...

[Jun aka Pekto]

In most level driving scenarios, the A/T is set to D at all times. If for some reason I'm stuck in traffic and can't move, I put it in P and keep an eye out for movement up front.

Downhills have always been problematic especially along the Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas where long, steep downhill stretches raises hell with brakepads. I prefer a combination of brakes and engine-braking to slow me down. But, that's not always possible with a pure automatic.

That's why an automanual like a Tipronic or Shiftronic is the best of both worlds.

[ghosthunter]

Downhills have always been problematic especially along the Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas where long, steep downhill stretches raises hell with brakepads. I prefer a combination of brakes and engine-braking to slow me down. But, that's not always possible with a pure automatic.

That's why an automanual like a Tipronic or Shiftronic is the best of both worlds.

I disagree... you can always shift to 2nd or 1st gear for controlled decents on long downhills. That's what we have been doing going down from Baguio for the last few years. Vehicles we use range from Mazda3, Honda CRV, Hyundai Starex, Ford Expedition, Chevy Venture, etc.

[Jun aka Pekto]

I disagree... you can always shift to 2nd or 1st gear for controlled decents on long downhills. That's what we have been doing going down from Baguio for the last few years. Vehicles we use range from Mazda3, Honda CRV, Hyundai Starex, Ford Expedition, Chevy Venture, etc.

That's true. I forgot about those because most mountain roads I travel on are really alpine expressways (4-6 lanes) where speeds are too fast for 1 and 2 to be used effectively. 1 and 2 would work great for San Francisco, although a Shiftronic would work even better.

[basti08]

me D + brakes...if it wasnt a long stop, but if it is then its N + handbrake.

[matty]

thanks guys! medyo confusing talaga. who said mas madali ang automatic? hehehe for me parang mas mahirap pa sya against manual . so kapag full stop for more than siguro 20 to 30 seconds, D + breaks (hindi ba pwedeng D + hand brake?) tama ba?. Pero kung more than that, N + hand breaks na tama ba mga bossing?