IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Neutral bad for Transmission?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-16-07, 06:42 PM
  #1  
RamshakleZ
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
RamshakleZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Neutral bad for Transmission?

So, I hate keeping my foot on the brake when I'm at a stop light. I like to put my car into neutral and then pop it right into drive when the light goes green. One thing I like about Lexus - they don't require you to have your foot on the brake to move from N to D. But, is doing this bad for the transmission? Should I put my foot on the brake when going from N to D?
Old 05-16-07, 06:48 PM
  #2  
Evitzee
Lexus Champion
 
Evitzee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hill Country, TX
Posts: 3,102
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Leaving it in neutral in traffic won't hurt the tranny. But it is always a good idea to have your brake depressed when stopped, or when you change drive mode. If you get hit in the rear while in neutral you have the possibility of the rear car driving you forward into the car in front of you. Then you have three cars involved in an incident.
Old 05-16-07, 06:49 PM
  #3  
Hartawan
Former Vendor
iTrader: (1)
 
Hartawan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: S.CA
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Isnt it bad to keep changing your gears from N to D at every stoplight? That's about 100 stop lights per day?
Old 05-16-07, 07:02 PM
  #4  
T4styPh0
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
T4styPh0's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: GA
Posts: 949
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

While in N, are you reving it and then popping it in D?
Old 05-16-07, 07:04 PM
  #5  
ben_r_
Lexus Champion
 
ben_r_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Yea I thought changing it back and forth more frequently was the bad part.
Old 05-16-07, 07:29 PM
  #6  
lexem
Pole Position
 
lexem's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ca
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I don't think he was talking about reving the engine and then putting it in drive.
I think he means. The car is stopped at the light so he puts it in N. When the light turns green, with his foot still on the brake (or at least to pressing the gas), puts it into D.
I do this but not too often. Mainly at those long red lights.
Old 05-16-07, 07:46 PM
  #7  
trio
Driver
 
trio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i don't think it's bad as long as you don't tranny slam it. that's probably one of the worst things you can do to the transmission.
Old 05-16-07, 07:48 PM
  #8  
GSteg
Rookie
iTrader: (15)
 
GSteg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 16,017
Likes: 0
Received 78 Likes on 60 Posts
Default

It shouldn't hurt the engine as long as you're not revving the engine and then dropping it into neutral. . I do this occassionally, but I put it in Park rather than Neutral.
Old 05-16-07, 07:51 PM
  #9  
RamshakleZ
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
RamshakleZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I don't rev at all. I'm stopped at a light and put in in N. My foot is then neither on the brake nor the gas. When the light turns green, I put it in D (my foot is still on neither the brake nor the gas). Then, once D has engaged, I put my foot on the gas.
Old 05-16-07, 07:53 PM
  #10  
istundra
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
istundra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NORCAL
Posts: 2,986
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

omg. switching it back n' forth is such newby shizz.

leave it in D.
Old 05-16-07, 07:54 PM
  #11  
ngogsr
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
ngogsr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: tx
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

dont be lazy
Old 05-16-07, 07:58 PM
  #12  
RamshakleZ
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
RamshakleZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by istundra
omg. switching it back n' forth is such newby shizz.

leave it in D.
Haha... well, I've done this with all my cars. The lights here are LONG. I just find it more comfortable to take my foot off the brake while waiting.
Old 05-16-07, 08:02 PM
  #13  
istundra
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
istundra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NORCAL
Posts: 2,986
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

yeh.

I know what u mean. I normally do not take it out of gear until the car is completely stopped.

What if..... you are slowing down.. and then all of the sudden the light turns green? drop it back in D? may not be safe if your RPM's are up~

What if..... you are slowing down.. and some SOB is about to cut in front of you? How will you accelerate defensively to maneuver away from them?

Just something to think about...
Old 05-16-07, 08:04 PM
  #14  
VikH
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (5)
 
VikH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: IL
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Use the parking brake instead.
Old 05-16-07, 08:23 PM
  #15  
RamshakleZ
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
RamshakleZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by istundra
What if..... you are slowing down.. and then all of the sudden the light turns green? drop it back in D? may not be safe if your RPM's are up~
I never put it into N until I am at a complete stop.


Quick Reply: Neutral bad for Transmission?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:48 PM.