re: 5 things not to do to automatic transmission video.
Scotty - Wouldn't it be better to put the transmission in neutral (instead of Park) everytime you're at a stop unless you are parking the car or on a hill? Thanks, New Member RickNPHX
No. You should always have maximum control of your vehicle. Automatics are made to be kept in 'D' at all times while driving.
Scotty puts his in neutral at red lights. He said that it saves wear on the torque converter.
Vibrating or shaking when stopped in drive is indicative of a worn torque converter, is it not? Wouldn't it wear it faster if it is kept like that for minutes at a time every day?
Show me where Scotty says do it at traffic lights. If I recall, he says don't idle in drive for long periods of time when stopped. He wasn't talking about doing it while driving. He also said it creates more heat. It doesn't wear out the torque converter.
@j-carlson-2001
you will never wear out your torque converter from leaving in in D at lights
Stop lights is not a long enough time to cause any wear on your torque converter that makes no sense if anything constant shifting between drive an neutral will only cause premature wear to internal valves and shift solenoids
Why risk it? What if a rouge tire came flying at you and you floor it but your in neutral?
Hey Scotty,
I drive an automatic 2005 Honda Accord with 205,000 miles. I'd like to know if its a good habit to shift into neutral whenever stopped at a red light. Should I just stay in drive instead? What is healthier for the car?
Thanks!
Yes, I would be putting it in neutral. Scotty said that it saves wear on the torque converter.
So I have an '09 pontiac vibe with a 4 speed auto, 163k miles, and when I'm stopped for a longer period of time, I do shift into neutral.
My car would vibrate rather roughly otherwise, so when I put it in neutral it stops vibrating. This is indicative of a wearing torque converter.
Other people may say that you should always leave it in drive to maintain control at all times. I'll let others leave their take.
fix your car instead of putting yourself and others at risk on the road.