Shift from N to D while driving: how bad is it?

I shifted from D to N and back to D while driving today. Since it was on a slight uphill slope, I was even pushing the gas pedal a little. I was driving at 25-30 mph when this happened. The shift from D to N was smooth as far as I can tell, the engine roared afterward. When I shifted back to D, I heard a clunk and the shift was very hard, truck jerked. I have definitely stressed the drivetrain of my truck.

You may wonder why I did this? I was trying to get familiar with the situation if a stuck floor mat or unintended acceleration happens to me! I should have shifted back to D after full stop.

How likely is it that I have damaged my transmission or anything? What symptoms could be there for check? Do I need to mention this at the next service at the dealer?

The truck is 2009 DC SB 4x4. Any thought is welcome.

 

your lucky your tranny didnt hit the road!!! Just kidding. It wont hurt anything. Engine/drivetrain are under warranty for 60k, so I wouldnt worry about it.

 

yeah as long as you don't habitually neutral drop...it'll be all good...once in awhile its fine tho

 

x2

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/59600-neutral-gear-faster-than-drive-gear.html

 

Do you all shift to N when parked at light ?

 

I just wouldn't make a habbit out of it. The manual says not to, and I know I did it a couple times before I read that and it was a violent catch when it went back into gear one of the times. Puts some wear/strain on things and it's an unnecessary practice.

 

I remember back in highschool, the kids would put their car in N at the stop light...probably the dumbest thing ever.. they thought their car was manual.. (lol!) (how i know? I had a friend who did it, and I never got the idea of it)

 

I shift into N at a stoplight nearly 90% of the time - especially if the light had just turned red.

I'd like to hear why its one of the dumbest things ever though...

 

I do it because I can.

As for submitting a power pulse to the engine, I imagine it isn't any worse than when you initially start the truck and place it in gear. If you give the truck a moderate amount of throttle before the tranny engages, then yes your point is valid.

Take it out of drive just to put it back again a few minutes later? I'm not really that lazy, so it doesn't bother me. Kinda like the whole why make your bed argument.

As for hitting the gas to avoid a collision, a big part of being a competent driver is being aware of your surroundings. I don't have to wait until a vehicle is on my front/rear bumper / door panel to know they are on a collision course. Even though I am in neutral I bet I can still move quicker than the bozo next to me fiddling with their Ipod, sending a text, or observing their make up in their rear view. 90% of the time you're boxed in at intersections so there isn't anywhere to go anyways.

I knew the response I would get before I even posted, I was just wondering what fish would bite first!

 

do you put it into neutral and let your foot off the brake..? then when the light turns green you just put it back into drive..? I dont get why people would do that on an automatic..

 

I dont either but he already said why he does it:

It isn't something I would do if I had an automatic, but his answer is more than enough to justify it for me!

 

i had a friend that would do that all the time, or at a stop like start in low and stift up to drive. he would only do it when he drove his mom's car he would always tell me he would do that because he is so used to driving stick that its werd not to move his hand.....but i have no idea maybe he just thought he was cool when he would do it haha.

 

There is no reason to shift to neutral on a red light. It doesn't save you fuel, there are system in place so keeping it in D will save you more fuel than N.

Why bother wasting the transmission even if it did cost more fuel. Tranny is kinda more expensive than fuel. It's like those guys who constantly downshift manuals, every time they need to stop at least. Tranny > break pads.

No wonder so many transmission are practically dead in used cars -.-

 

I see it the other way - why stay in D? Everyone strives to be unique and their own individual, but then dumps on anyone who does something outside the majority.

Seriously though, I had an old beater once that had a miss at idle. The engine would lug really bad when stopped at a light with the tranny left in drive - became a habit I guess.

One thing for sure, you'll never hear me complain about the "lurch" issue or not know what to do when the trucks "comes to life" and accelerates.

And yes, some individuals do deserve a "super" designation. I saw a said "super" sometime ago idling at the drive thru in D, reached for something in the console (while inadvertently releasing pressure on the brake), and rear ended the car in front of them. It was pretty minor, but "super" at the same time.

I really think its 6 of one and a half a dozen of the other - a question was asked and I answered. The day I shift your truck into N you can rag about it - until then...

 

How does idling in neutral with your foot on the brake waste a transmission?

No, because then I would roll into either the car in front or behind me.



I'm curious to know how many stick drivers sit through an entire light with the clutch depressed?