Automatic gearbox and regular use of neutral

BOWFER

So when using neutral, you're not coming to a stop before putting it back into D?
If you're putting it from neutral back into 'D' at any speed, the gearbox simply wasn't designed for this at all and entirely at your own risk.

itsmeagain

Advocado said:

itsmeagain said:

It should not cause any damage to your gearbox but will wear your brakes out quicker (should you need them), and arguably dangerously delay your emergency use of accelerator (if required).

Interesting post - thanks for the info.  It's a diesel van.

I only put it into N when I know I won't need the brakes.  So I coast for a while if there's a long downward gradient and then into D again once the speed has dropped lower than I want.

Good to know it's not damaging anything.

Van - yes - aerodynamics of a bus!
That makes sense - you will get an improvement, I don't believe the size of the improvement that you claim though, don't believe you wouldn't increase speed in N on steep hills (would agree on gentle to moderate), some models (such as 2.0 DSG Superb) do this automatically for you.

So are you going to go the whole hog, switch the ign off and back on again whilst coasting? The new generation of vehicles will do this for you, it's called stop on the move. It's easiest with beltless engines when all ancillaries are electric (PAS, brakes, AC etc).

I am a class 1 advanced and ROSPA gold driver and have never had an accident whilst practicing this - seen loads though!

Grumpy_chap

Advocado said:

Massively disagree. 

You should drive in a manner that means you don't need your brakes by keeping your distance, looking far ahead, keeping a steady speed, pre-empting other drivers' actions etc.

You never know when you might need your brakes.  Child / animal can run out from anywhere at any time with no notice.  

neilmcl

Advocado said:

neilmcl said:

Advocado said:

itsmeagain said:

It should not cause any damage to your gearbox but will wear your brakes out quicker (should you need them), and arguably dangerously delay your emergency use of accelerator (if required).

Interesting post - thanks for the info.  It's a diesel van.

I only put it into N when I know I won't need the brakes.  So I coast for a while if there's a long downward gradient and then into D again once the speed has dropped lower than I want.

Good to know it's not damaging anything.

Don't take offence but that only tells me how much of a poor driver you are, and goes back to my earlier point of how dangerous coasting can be. You should ALWAYS be in a position to need your brakes.

Massively disagree. 

You should drive in a manner that means you don't need your brakes by keeping your distance, looking far ahead, keeping a steady speed, pre-empting other drivers' actions etc.

You should always be in a position to expect the unexpected.

neilmcl

Grumpy_chap said:

Advocado said:

Massively disagree. 

You should drive in a manner that means you don't need your brakes by keeping your distance, looking far ahead, keeping a steady speed, pre-empting other drivers' actions etc.

You never know when you might need your brakes.  Child / animal can run out from anywhere at any time with no notice.  

I've experienced both and was glad I was in full control of my vehicle but on both occasions it was very close.

[Deleted User]

All the auto's I have driven tend to pick up speed going downhill with no throttle input. My existing one is terrible for it, need to keep an eye on the speed myself. Only time I come out of D is when I park or overly long traffic jams.

Advocado

BOWFER said:

So when using neutral, you're not coming to a stop before putting it back into D?
If you're putting it from neutral back into 'D' at any speed, the gearbox simply wasn't designed for this at all and entirely at your own risk.

Correct.  D to N to D multiple times at various speeds. 

Advocado

BOWFER said:

So when using neutral, you're not coming to a stop before putting it back into D?
If you're putting it from neutral back into 'D' at any speed, the gearbox simply wasn't designed for this at all and entirely at your own risk.

Correct.  D to N to D multiple times at various speeds. 

neilmcl

BOWFER said:

So when using neutral, you're not coming to a stop before putting it back into D?
If you're putting it from neutral back into 'D' at any speed, the gearbox simply wasn't designed for this at all and entirely at your own risk.

This totally. I'm not sure the DSG or it's mechatronic is going to be happy about jumping from Neutral to Drive and vice versa at any sort of speed.

Keep_pedalling

Advocado said:

itsmeagain said:

It should not cause any damage to your gearbox but will wear your brakes out quicker (should you need them), and arguably dangerously delay your emergency use of accelerator (if required).

Interesting post - thanks for the info.  It's a diesel van.

I only put it into N when I know I won't need the brakes.  So I coast for a while if there's a long downward gradient and then into D again once the speed has dropped lower than I want.

Good to know it's not damaging anything.

So you know you will never have to break unexpectedly because a pedestrian walks out in front of you or another vehicle or bike pulls into your path?