Putting automatic transmission in neutral when stopped?

Any thoughts about putting the transmission in neutral when stopped at traffic lights or while stuck in traffic. I do sometimes when I see traffic is going to be stopped for a while or at a really long lights. Does this save gas and cause the transmission to run cooler?
Bill

 

Doesn't save gas.
Might run a little cooler since you aren't slipping the TC, but the tradeoff is increased wear on the clutch packs from the disengagement and re-engagement.

Manual trans is a different story.
Holding your foot on the clutch when at a stop causes the crankshaft to ride forward in the bearings and alters the wear pattern.

 

yea, i wouldnt do it.

 

if i’m stuck in traffic for a long time i will put it in park.

 

Not just the trans, but it loads and unloads the other parts of your driveline (such as U joints) unnecessarily. If you know you're stopped for 5 minutes, just put it in park.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KPF4NPrz2Q

This guy is showing fuel consumption in his Civic using the Scan Gauge. At idle, in neutral it is using less fuel than if he kept it in drive. It is 0.9 Liters per hour in neutral. 1.15 Liters per hour in Drive.

I have no idea if it has the same effect in the Tacomas.


Hi guys. already learned alot about the tacomas. Going to do the tailgate hose clamp thingy later on.

 

I would assume the fuel consumption would be the same for nuetral and park....?

 

Sounds like someone should have bought a stick

 

0.25 LPH
That's 8.43 Ounces per hour.
15 hours of idling to make a difference of 1 gallon.

5 hour trip at 30mph avg, 1 hour of that is idling.
Baseline 25mpg (normal driving, leave trans in drive)
5x30=150 miles
150/25 = 6 gallons used

Same trip, shift to neutral, 5.934 gallons used
150/5.934 = 25.28mpg

Like I said... no impact on fuel economy. That is statistically insignificant, and is assuming a full hour of idling on a 5 hour trip of 150 miles.

 

It won't do you any good. The fuel saved is so minimal that it's not worth mentioning.

 

At a red light I just hold the truck with the brake. If it's taking several turns of the light to get through an intersection I put the transmission in neutral or park, just so I can move my feet around. If traffic's at a real standstill I shut the engine off.

 

Just leave it in gear and enjoy the ride.