[bruin]

Here's a question:

When at a long stop light, does it save gas to put the car in neutral if you are driving with an automatic trasmission?


We've all thought about stopping the engine and then starting it again, but I've got to think that will add a lot of wear and tear on the engine. But I thought a much simpler thing would be to just put it in neutral.

As you know, automatic cars will creep forward when in drive and there is now gas, so you have to sit on the brake to keep the car still. However, if it is in neutral, the car will not creep forward. There has to be some wasted energy there.

[GoIllini]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bruin', 'H')ere's a question:

When at a long stop light, does it save gas to put the car in neutral if you are driving with an automatic trasmission?

[strider3700]

the energy is still used when you're in drive and on the brake. It's just turning to heat in the transmission.

I have my doubts that neutral would affect gas mileage much if at all. Shifting into to neutral and coasting slowly to a stop rather then being on the gas then hard on the brakes does help a bit though.

turning off the engine really depends a lot on the engine. Damage on start up comes from oil being more in the pan then in the engine. It probably won't hurt from that standpoint. It would be harder on the starter and battery then anything else. It is however illegal so I can't say it's worth it.