Which is better of auto transmission in a traffic jam?

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U

ugh

Platinum Member
Feb 6, 2000
2,563
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Put on the transmission to D all the time and use your brakes to handle the stop and go situation

OR

Put the transmission from D to N to D to N... to handle the stop and go situation.


No doubt the first one will perhaps burn your brake pads, just want to know what kind of impact will be on the transmission.

Thanks.
 
K

Kntx

Platinum Member
Dec 11, 2000
2,270
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71
Leave in in D because that D-N thing sounds like a pain in the ass.
 
N8Magic

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
Better to just leave it in D.

You put less stress on the tranny from engaging/disengaging that way.
 
T

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
9,773
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N8Magic is right. Definitely leave it in drive. Your brakes are cheap as hell compared to your transmission.
 
geno

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
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leave it in D, shifting from N to D all the time would put unnecessary stress on your drivetrain.
 
U

ugh

Platinum Member
Feb 6, 2000
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Wouldn't stepping on the brakes while on D make the transmission umm... "jammed" or something? Don't know how to describe it, but hope you get the meaning. It's something like making a running motor stop.
 
K

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
The only time i shift to neutral (i drive an auto, but wanted a stick!) is when i come to a red light at night. I'll slow down, then shift to neutral and then glide to a stop. I'll then pull it to drive when the light is green, then pull away. I only do this when I'm pretty sure I'll be waiting for a while.

Edit: I do this because it eliminates that small jerk when your car comes to a complete stop. I usually ease the brake and play with it to eliminate it most the time but I'm not always successful.
 
U

ugh

Platinum Member
Feb 6, 2000
2,563
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<< I do this because it eliminates that small jerk when your car comes to a complete stop. I usually ease the brake and play with it to eliminate it most the time but I'm not always successful. >>


Strange, I don't notice any sort of jerking when my car comes to a complete stop; only when I engage the D gear from N, then I'll get the jerk.
 
geno

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
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<< Wouldn't stepping on the brakes while on D make the transmission umm... "jammed" or something? Don't know how to describe it, but hope you get the meaning. It's something like making a running motor stop. >>


That's what a torque converter is for, it doesn't jam the engine or anything, but it does work against it somewhat (nothing detrimental to the engine at all). The torque converter is filled with a viscous fluid, so there's no direct feedback from the stopped "output" side of the tranny.

EDIT - Just to make a point, auto trannies are made to idle at a stop in D, they're supposed to be left in D when coming to a stop. That's what the torque converter is there for.
 
T

tm37

Lifer
Jan 24, 2001
12,436
1
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<< Edit: I do this because it eliminates that small jerk when your car comes to a complete stop. I usually ease the brake and play with it to eliminate it most the time but I'm not always successful. >>



That jerk is not due to using your barake. It's due to using your brakes incorrectly.

 
C

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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I used to do that with my old car because it idle'd smoother in N than when in drive ... thats the only reason for it.. but with a standard car, i always put it in neautral instead of standing on the clutch for long periods of time.. THAT is when it becomes smarter to put it in neutral..
 
M

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,737
6,760
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I drag my foot on the road to stop. It saves breaks and transmissions. The road between here and the mental institution is quite crowded.
 
U

ugh

Platinum Member
Feb 6, 2000
2,563
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<< I drag my foot on the road to stop. It saves breaks and transmissions. The road between here and the mental institution is quite crowded. >>


What? You mean you don't use your feet to power your car as well? How sad...
 
The Stigenator

The Stigenator

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
i have been told by an transmission guy that if your going to be stopping for a while its better to be in N than in D. However if its on a very very slow traffic or stop and go its better to shift to 1 and use the brake if necessary. That way it doesnt blow something.
 
K

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81


<<

<< Edit: I do this because it eliminates that small jerk when your car comes to a complete stop. I usually ease the brake and play with it to eliminate it most the time but I'm not always successful. >>



That jerk is not due to using your barake. It's due to using your brakes incorrectly. >>


I'm using them incorrectly? I ease them on and then when the speedometer is about 5, i apply a little bit more pressure. How should I be braking? My damn instructor never said anything. It isn't really a jerk, just a slight forward motion just as the car stops.
 
U

ugh

Platinum Member
Feb 6, 2000
2,563
0
0


<< i have been told by an transmission guy that if your going to be stopping for a while its better to be in N than in D. However if its on a very very slow traffic or stop and go its better to shift to 1 and use the brake if necessary. That way it doesnt blow something. >>


Shift to 1 as in the lowest gear? Uhh... What did the transmission guy say will blow if the above is not followed?
 
Thump553

Thump553

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
12,839
2,625
136
Brake pads cost $25 if you DIY, probably $100-300 at a shop (guessing). I have had too many transmission jobs done in my life and none has cost LESS than $1500. You do the math-a litle wear on the brakes is a whole lot cheaper than tranny repairs.

Look at your car's owner's manual & see if it suggests anything, also.

When I drive auto, unless the engine running real bad, I keep it in D.
 
R

rootaxs

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2000
2,487
0
71
Yep. It's the way you hit the brakes. I've pretty much mastered this part where you can slowly brake to a point when you're at a complete stop without having the car move anymore. I've got a lot of comments from passengers saying, "Why don't you brake yet?" little did they know that i've been pressing on the brakes for moments already.

To the more masterful drivers i've gotten several compliments about how smooth i brake (e.g. no jerking motion).

It's just a matter of knowing how your car works throughout and applying proper control over it.



<<

<<

<< Edit: I do this because it eliminates that small jerk when your car comes to a complete stop. I usually ease the brake and play with it to eliminate it most the time but I'm not always successful. >>



That jerk is not due to using your barake. It's due to using your brakes incorrectly. >>


I'm using them incorrectly? I ease them on and then when the speedometer is about 5, i apply a little bit more pressure. How should I be braking? My damn instructor never said anything. It isn't really a jerk, just a slight forward motion just as the car stops. >>

 
U

ugh

Platinum Member
Feb 6, 2000
2,563
0
0


<< Brake pads cost $25 if you DIY, probably $100-300 at a shop (guessing). I have had too many transmission jobs done in my life and none has cost LESS than $1500. You do the math-a litle wear on the brakes is a whole lot cheaper than tranny repairs. >>


I get yer point ;) Heh... Is it difficult changing the brake pads yerself? Are we talking about disc brakes here?
 
R

rootaxs

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2000
2,487
0
71
Nope. Just the pads. :)



<<

<< Brake pads cost $25 if you DIY, probably $100-300 at a shop (guessing). I have had too many transmission jobs done in my life and none has cost LESS than $1500. You do the math-a litle wear on the brakes is a whole lot cheaper than tranny repairs. >>


I get yer point ;) Heh... Is it difficult changing the brake pads yerself? Are we talking about disc brakes here? >>

 
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