shifting an automatic transmission into neutral at a stoplight,
2004 Toyota Avalon 3.0 V6 167,000 miles
Beginning a about one year ago I began shifting the automatic transmission into neutral when at a stoplight, especially when the a/c was running as it felt that it relieved the motor of being burdened by it's engagement with the transmission thus raising the idle rpm's and making the motor idle more smoothly. And it seemed that this perhaps relieved unnecessary pressure/burden on the transmission as well. Then the other day I saw a video online by a mechanic who stated this was bad for the transmission, and I was shocked that my efforts to protect and preserve the transmission was perhaps damaging it. For me it seems counter intuitive but then I am not a mechanic and know even less about transmissions. So now I am leaving the transmission in Drive at a stoplight, but it just feels wrong to me at such a low and rougher idle and feels like there is a strain between the motor and transmission. The analogy that I just thought of is that if you were in a canoe on a lake and the canoe was up against an immoveable object, say a wall, acting as the brakes on a car and you continue to paddle. Wasted effort. This to me is the same as leaving the car in drive with the brakes engaged not allowing the car to move. Wasted effort. What say you boys?
What say you boys?
Leave it in D for short stops (with your foot on the brake), or shift to P for lengthy stops (with the parking brake on).
Will do. Thank you.
To do or not to do, that is the question
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I began shifting the automatic transmission into neutral when at a stoplight,
Don't. It's not safe.
it just feels wrong to me
It is the correct way to operate your vehicle, as you owner's manual will confirm.
such a low and rougher idle and feels like there is a strain between the motor and transmission
If there's a problem, fix it. Make sure motor mounts are in good condition, and engine is running smoothly. Air filter, spark plugs, intake, AC etc. have all been maintained.
The analogy that I just thought of is that if you were in a canoe
Not an accurate analogy. Your automatic transmission has a torque converter specifically for the purpose of idling at a stop. Again, 'D' is the correct mode for idling at a stop light that your vehicle was designed for.
It sounds like you're trying to apply manual transmission logic.
Wasted effort.
it's not wasted
okay. thanks