hey recently i've notice that when I'm driving pretty fast and I have to stop suddenly for a red light or a stop sign I always shift to neutral ...and I've noticed that the car stops faster and there's less of a "leaning forward" movement for the passangers in the car.
well anyway...is it good to do that? like will the shifter for the tl get worned out?

do any of you guys do it?

 

Actually from a safety standpoint I dont think it is a good idea at all. People do this going down hills as well thinking they are saving gas by putting the tranny into neutral and coasting when I have read the opposite is true. YOu burn more gas by putting the car into neutral than if it were left in drive and you coasted down the hill as there is more of a vacuum in th engine causing you to burn less gas than if the car were in neutral. I think I read that in the Ask Bob column in the newspaper.

As far as why I think its a bad idea, I think you should be in complete control of your car when approaching a stop. If at the last second you needed to suddenly accelerate to avoid someone you would be unable to do so.

Also your car should not stop any faster, it should be the opposite and take longer to stop. You now only have your brakes slowing down the car in neutral whereas if left in gear you would have added engine braking.

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Just call me..................Mr Hyde
TL Type-S Moderator
02 Aegean Blue TL Type-S with Navi
Accord Forum Moderator/Honda-Acura.net
96 Sherwood Green Accord EX

 

I read an article that says if you coast down hills, do not put your car into neutral cuz it ruins the tranny. Besides, you won't have the control necessary in an emergency situation.

 

You should keep the gear in "D" and use the brakes when slowing down. I agree with Mr Hyde. You should be able to accelarte when you need to.

 

Why would you want to do a fool thing like that?
Ed

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Acura-TL.com - Forum Moderator

'99 TL Satin Silver/Ebony, Non/Nav, Comptech Springs and Sways, CL Type S wheels wrapped with 225/45/17 Dunlop SP9000's, Comptech Air Filter Element, Inspire Tails, AEM Brake Pads all around, Comptech Axle Back Exhaust, "Guy Smiley" doll on the dash as my Co-driver...

Pics of my TL
Pics of my Miata! Wadya think?

 

Well, I don't shift to N while the car is still moving..... but I do shift to N when I have to stop for a red light for long sometimes... Now is this good or bad?

 

a mechanic friend of mine told me that on auto tranny, constant moving of the gear stick will tend to wear off the gear teeth unnecessarily, so he advise not to constantly move the gear stick .

 

You should just keep the car in drive. Cars were made to keep in drive at lights. By doing that, your putting more W&T on your tranny. Its like saying, at long lights, you turn your car off to save on gas. You know you shouldn't do that just like you shouldn't put your car in neutral at lights.

Rosh

 

I wondered the same thing once when i had my prelude (manual) when i asked the Honda tech the exact same thing he told it to me like this: Downshifting, or shifting in neutral can put more wear on your tranny. Braking puts more wear on the brakes. Which costs more to fix? Tranny of course, so screw the brakes and brake hard if you need to. Otherwise,if you need to brake hard, then downshift. I do it only when i need to brake hard. i dunno about hills though, i live in houston, and thats about as flat as my washboard abs. j/k

 

I heard that shifting into neutral is bad for the transmission, but you do save a little gas (according to maxim).

 

Not only that... but shifting into N going downhill means you have NO engine braking... so you are wearing your brakes more as well...
DO they 99 Acura Transmissions have any Grade Logic/Brains in them so as not to gear hunt, et?