Using neutral at stoplights with A4
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
Why do you want to do that? Really shouldn't make much difference but could eventually wear out (or prematurely wear) the shift mechanism.
I guess it would help with heat if you are in major traffic for a long time in the summer time.
I would be afraid I would forget while I was distacted messing with the radio and then rev up to 4000 rpm before I realize what I did. Then all of the surrounding cars would think I didnt know how to drive the vette and they give me funny looks. Then I would return the funny look and then they would flip me off.
Looks like potental road rag to me. LOL
I put my manual shifting cars (Jeep and BMW) in neutral at long stop light - my leg gets tired in heavy traffic with many light. And sometimes I forget but only rev to 2k and then pop it in and go like a BO-OH (Bat Out Of H@ll).
I guess it would help with heat if you are in major traffic for a long time in the summer time.
I would be afraid I would forget while I was distacted messing with the radio and then rev up to 4000 rpm before I realize what I did. Then all of the surrounding cars would think I didnt know how to drive the vette and they give me funny looks. Then I would return the funny look and then they would flip me off.
Looks like potental road rag to me. LOL
I put my manual shifting cars (Jeep and BMW) in neutral at long stop light - my leg gets tired in heavy traffic with many light. And sometimes I forget but only rev to 2k and then pop it in and go like a BO-OH (Bat Out Of H@ll).
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 2
From: Valdosta GA
One disadvantage of this would be the higher RPM's in neutral versus in drive. Seems like it would be slightly more wear on the engine and transmission from all this unecessary gear changes.
Another disadvantage would be the lack of control in an emergency situation. If you need to move quickly because of an emergency situation (someone coming up behind you and won't have enough distance to stop, etc.) you have an added step of shifting back into gear.
Another disadvantage would be the lack of control in an emergency situation. If you need to move quickly because of an emergency situation (someone coming up behind you and won't have enough distance to stop, etc.) you have an added step of shifting back into gear.
Last edited by BlueDream; Feb 23, 2009 at 03:41 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Same for the A/C compressor kicking in and out. Pretty much seamless in terms of engine idle speeds.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 35
From: Rowlett, Texas
A tranny mechanic I know said the ONLY times you should shift to neutral are when you are going to sit for several minutes, or when your engine is obviously overheating. Reason: every time you shift from neutral to drive you engage and slip the 1st gear clutch plates. Doesn't seem like a very harsh abuse, but he pointed out that the other gear shifts disengage and engage the various clutches in harmony, to reduce the slippage, the fluid pressure is higher to reduce slippage, and the engine torque is electronically reduced to reduce force. He was telling me this while explaining how to replace the 1st/reverse plates on my other car, which he blamed on cold shifts to reverse in the garage, when the idle speed was still up a bit. So, I couldn't argue the logic. If you think about it, the N-1st shift bumps a lot more than a normal at-speed shift from, say, 3-4. Maybe he's right?
DG
DG
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
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From: Wichita KS
Do a 4k neutral drop and say bye bye to your Torque Converter. A neutral drop will destroy them, maybe not the 1st time but it will.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 148
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From: Peoria Arizona
No haven't had the urge to do it in any other car and it was only a few times. Like after having the exhaust installed and a couple of weekends ago in a parade with the club when everyone was doing it. I would never do a nuetral/drive drop. Just wondered about the free revs when not in gear.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
While in neutral, release the brake pedal....this will extend the life of the stop lamps too 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
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From: Indianapolis In
I use to leave my car in gear while at a stop but not any more. When at a stop, I always put it in meutral to let the torque off the tranny. If I had a stall converter, I would probable leave it on gear. I can leave it now but have to hold the brake a bit harder. WHen in neutral, idle backs down to app. 800 rpm with a bit of shake.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
A tranny mechanic I know said the ONLY times you should shift to neutral are when you are going to sit for several minutes, or when your engine is obviously overheating. Reason: every time you shift from neutral to drive you engage and slip the 1st gear clutch plates.
Unnecessary shifting from neutral to drive, will cause needless wear on the transmission clutch packs.
