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- From: dmunroe@vcd.hp.com (Dave Munroe)
- Subject: Re: Coasting with an automatic
- Sender: news@vcd.hp.com (News user)
- Message-ID: <BxJDLE.6DA@vcd.hp.com>
- Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 05:22:26 GMT
- Distribution: usa
- References: <Bx6Gxv.EM9@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu>
- Organization: Hewlett-Packard
- Lines: 42
-
- In article <Bx6Gxv.EM9@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu> gsu0001@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (Michael Linden) writes:
- > I'm looking for input on possible problems with putting automatic
- >transmissions in neutral to coast up to stop signs and lights. I have
- >heard that this can be bad for an automatic transmission because once
- >disengaged from the engine (neutral), the tranny fluid is no longer
- >pumped through the transmission cooler causing the transmission to run
- >hotter.
-
- There are a couple of issues here. First, your automatic tranny might not
- even have an oil cooler (i.e. you might not have a separate cooler in front
- of the radiator). In any case, the transmission fluid is still circulating
- in the transmission, regardless of whether it's in neutral or not. In fact,
- if you're at stoplights for a long time, you can reduce heat in the auto
- tranny by putting it in neutral.
-
- > The reason I am asking is because my Mom likes doing this because she
- >has noticed how much less effort is required by the brakes to stop the
- >car (not fighting the engine at lower speeds).
-
- That's like putting a manual transmission car in neutral, too. Sure it brakes
- quicker, but it's more wear on the brakes. One might argue that going into
- neutral causes less wear on the engine, too, but if you stayed in gear I doubt
- if the increased engine braking under everyday conditions causes that much
- engine wear. Even when in gear, braking should be relatively effortless -
- unless you've got an old Peterbilt with no power brakes.
-
- Personally, I'd stay in gear just to be able to react quickly to an emergency.
- But then, when I drive an automatic, I put it in neutral at stoplights and
- run it through the gears (well, 2, 3, D) for better performance.
-
- -Dave
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