Automatics - Out of Drive at Lights ?

[MrCippo]

Quick question, probably it has been asked before, is it worth taking an automatic out of D and into N while at lights ? Or when knowing you might get stuck in traffic for quite a while..

The recent Aberdonian traffic got me thinking, would that save on fuel or create less stress on the car ? Is it worth it ?

[hornetrider]

I do. It will use less fuel as the car won't be straining against the brake and you don't blind the driver behind.

[PanzerCommander]

If you are going to be stationary for a long period then it is worth it (level crossing etc.) but for regular stop and start just leave it in D, most instruction manuals warn against constantly shifting in and out of D (mine does) if it is unnecessary.

[sparks_E39]

Only if I'm stopped for a while.

[Captain Muppet]

This thread again? It must be Wednesday.

[Zerotonine]

If I am going to be stationary for more than a few minutes I will pop it into neutral. If it is just a 30 second or so wait then I will leave it in drive. But then I drive a 2000 accord, if my brake lights blind the guy behind then they shouldn't be on the road.
I am certain this topic has been covered in length fairly recently mind, but I cannot be arsed to find the original topic.

[kambites]

I never sit on the foot-brake if there's someone stationary behind me, but will often leave an automatic in drive with the hand-brake on. Mind you I've only driven automatics as hire cars so mechanical sympathy isn't particularly high on my list of priorities.

[Cledus Snow]

I usually knock mine into neutral if i'm going to be sitting for a while.

[PHmember]

Pffft.... Stopping for lights indeed....

[LuS1fer]

Yes. If your foot slips or you are rear-ended, the car is going to drive away on its own or try to...

In an era of stop-strat tech, you'd think they'd have an auto-neutral.

Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 4th July 13:36

[5678]

Auto handbrake, not an issue.

[CoolHands]

yes. No. Don't know.

that about covers it.

[Shaw Tarse]

See here http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=28&...

[RWD cossie wil]

I think my BMW has an automatic light changer wired up to it, every time I stick it into N, the lights are almost guaranteed to change