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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
Hi Guys,
I was just wondering what gear you guys select when you're stuck at the lights or up-hill (nope, not at Stockton sand dunes ) for extended period of times?
I always shift to "N-Neutral" when I'm sitting at the lights and this seems to be the recommendation made by Nissan as well.
Do you guys do the same or stay on "D-Drive" with the brakes on?
Here is the recommendation from Nissan:
quote:
Shift to 'Neutral' when stopping for longer periods at the traffic lights.
The reason being to reduce unnecessary continuous loading on the transmission system when stationary. The same thing applies to maintaining position of car when you're stationary uphill.
If you read the manual, it states that it's advised that you apply parking brake and not rely on the gearing to maintain stationary position on an uphill slope.
This may reduce unnecessary heat build-up in the transmission system and promote longer service life.
The reason I ask, is that there are other transmission so called "experts" out there on the net, who strongly advise against doing the above, yet fail to explain why, except to say that it's bad for the auto transmission to be engaged and disengaged so often.
I had driven auto for a long time and I always do the same (i.e. shift to N) and I've never encountered any problems with my transmission.
What do you guys think?
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2/Jun/2005, 10:20 am
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canberraxtrail
X-TRAIL ENTHUSIAST
Date Registered: 01-2005
Location: Canberra, ACT
TOTAL POSTS: 273
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Re: Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
yea i do this too, and ive heard it is better to shift into neutral than leaving it in D. I did this in my previous car too.
Matt
--- Matt, Canberra, X-074
2002 ST
Twilight, auto, nudge bar, tint
Car Pics: HERE
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2/Jun/2005, 3:34 pm
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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
OK Guys,
I've been debating this issue on many forums and I have not received a proper explanation from a knowledgeable source, which would convince me not to shift the transmission to N when idling at the lights for extended periods of time.
This has changed today when I saw a reply on one of the forums with the following detailed and technical explanation and I thought I'd share this with you.
Is it better to idle in neutral at stoplights?
Article by Paul Brand
Excerpt from Star Tribune
Each time you shift an automatic transmission into gear, hydraulic pressure is applied to a piston that engages a clutch pack for that gear. The multiple clutch discs slip a bit as the pressure rises to full engagement. This is what gives the smoothness to engagement. The same thing happens each time the transmission shifts gears while you're underway.
So why put additional slippage on the clutches by shifting into neutral at a stop, then back into gear when you're ready to go? The transmission is quite happy to sit in gear at a standstill. The necessary slippage is occurring in the torque converter, not the transmission itself. The torque converter is basically a hydraulic "coupling" between the engine and transmission. In simple terms, it consists of two "fans" facing each other in a housing filled with transmission fluid. As the engine-driven fan called the impeller spins, the hydraulic pressure it generates applies force to the transmission-coupled fan, called the turbine. This turbine carries power to the transmission, and ultimately to the drive wheels.
There is no mechanical wear occurring during the normal slippage in the torque converter while the vehicle is stationary. Thus, no harm, no foul in leaving the vehicle in gear when stopped. In fact, as I mentioned above, it's actually better to do so, because it puts fewer clutch engagements and less stress on the transmission itself.
Am not sure about you guys, but after reading this I'll be staying in D= Drive
This is a long time habit, which I would have to give-up
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24/Aug/2005, 9:57 pm
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David M
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 02-2005
Location: Taylor's Hill (Melbourne)
TOTAL POSTS: 466
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Re: Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
I have always (when I've had an auto) just stayed in drive at traffic lights; for longer stops at railway gates I might put it in nuetral; for extended stops at road works, I put it in park and turn off the engine.
David M
--- David M (X095)
ST Auto (series 1) 180,000 kms
Nissan nudge, fog lights, towbar, floor mats, K&N filter, Cooper CS4s, electric trailer brake controller, GME TX3220
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25/Aug/2005, 8:09 am
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David M
X-TRAIL FANATIC
Date Registered: 02-2005
Location: Taylor's Hill (Melbourne)
TOTAL POSTS: 466
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Re: Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
Someone else will ahve to give the technical side, and I might be wrong - I just don't like sitting for several minutes with the engine idling; of course, you don't always know how long the road works delay will be, but if you can't see the other end, you can guess it will be a little while, especially with the automatic lights they use often now which have to have a margin built in for the changeoever of direction.
I read that the hybrid and fuel miser type vehicles switch the engine off whenever you stop; I don't think you waste every much restarting a modern engine. David M
--- David M (X095)
ST Auto (series 1) 180,000 kms
Nissan nudge, fog lights, towbar, floor mats, K&N filter, Cooper CS4s, electric trailer brake controller, GME TX3220
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6/Sep/2005, 10:03 am
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jalalski
Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
quote: Sandpit wrote:
If I get stuck sitting still for extended periods I leave the transmissin in D but occasionally beep the horn and yell obscenities. I find this relieves tension in the driver... not sure about the transmission though?
Cheers
Steve
Sure mate, this will relief tension from your side, but build-up even more pressure on the driver and transmission for the guy in front of you. hehehe
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7/Sep/2005, 8:39 am
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Panfa
Date Registered: 08-2005
TOTAL POSTS: 122
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Re: Gear Selection Habbits-Auto
IKf you leave an auto in gear, and take your foot off the brake, it will move forward, which indicates to me that you are causing some stress by leaving it in gear. You are also more likely to shoot forward if someone rearends you.
So I will continue putting it in neutral at the lights as I have always done.
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9/Sep/2005, 9:51 pm
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