Dumb question - when do you use N in an auto?
Discussion
Probably a stupid question, but when do you actually shift the shifter to N in an auto car? I've only driven two (my wife's A3 and her dad's A6, so I guess they're technically DSG?) but I've never actually put it in N.
Going forwards - D
Going backwards - R
Parked - P
Stopped at traffic lights - D, with the handbrake on, foot off the brake
The only time it's gone into N is when I was playing with the driving modes, the car puts itself in N when you take you foot off the accelerator for a couple of seconds in economy mode.
Is there something I'm missing?
Going forwards - D
Going backwards - R
Parked - P
Stopped at traffic lights - D, with the handbrake on, foot off the brake
The only time it's gone into N is when I was playing with the driving modes, the car puts itself in N when you take you foot off the accelerator for a couple of seconds in economy mode.
Is there something I'm missing?
Nickbrapp said:
IN My leon if you put the handbrake on in D The car will try and creep forward?
I use it N when stopped at traffic lights with the handbrake on
I use it N when stopped at traffic lights with the handbrake on
jmcc500 said:
Don’t use D with handbrake on in our Yeti - the clutch engagement is controlled by brake pressure so it loads up and drags the clutch.
Sounds odd. My S-Tronic S3 will not attempt to load the clutchpack if it knows the handbrake is on.Only ever had one automatic, but it always felt wrong to me to sit at traffic lights in "D" holding the car on the handbrake. I couldn't believe something somewhere wasn't under load or being worn. But maybe I just don't understand how autos work.
It seems to me that "N" is right next to "D" for a reason.
It seems to me that "N" is right next to "D" for a reason.
I know I'll get stick for this, but I use N when stationary at traffic lights for a while. Everyone else says just leave it in D with the foot-brake applied, and even the user's manual says to do this. But it just feels wrong to me - it's the equivalent of sitting still in a manual car with your foot on the clutch and first gear engaged, which I, and I'm sure others, were taught not to do (for safety reasons as well as mechanical sympathy). This is with a traditional torque converter auto.
I always put mine in neutral at traffic lights with the electronic parking brake on. I think ( possibly wrongly ) that leaving it in drive with my foot on the brake is putting a strain on the auto transmission. And especially at night I don't want to dazzle the driver behind while keeping my foot on the brake. Modern brake lights seem to be much brighter than those of old.
On most cars, you can shift from D to N and back again just by pushing the lever back and forth without pushing in the selector guard. This means where you have an extended stop at some lights or in traffic, you can push into N, apply the handbrake, and when ready to set off push back to D and release the handbrake - very quick and easy. It is mechanically more sympathetic than allowing the car to chomp against the brakes or clunking mechanically into P and back.
Conscript said:
I know I'll get stick for this, but I use N when stationary at traffic lights for a while. Everyone else says just leave it in D with the foot-brake applied, and even the user's manual says to do this. But it just feels wrong to me - it's the equivalent of sitting still in a manual car with your foot on the clutch and first gear engaged, which I, and I'm sure others, were taught not to do (for safety reasons as well as mechanical sympathy). This is with a traditional torque converter auto.
That's exactly right for a torque converter auto. Most DSG variants (and similar from other manufacturers) don't engage the clutches when stopped with no throttle, so OK to leave in D with handbrake on.I a lot of Autos these days if at a set of traffic lights and leaving the car in "D" if you put your foot on the brake pedal the engine turns off and electronic handbrake applied, lift your foot off the brake and engine starts, press accelerator and handbrake releases.
Whereas if you slide it in to N engine keeps running and you have to engage hand-brake manually.
Whereas if you slide it in to N engine keeps running and you have to engage hand-brake manually.
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