Ok so I have an 07 is250 and if you notice when you let off the accelerator and coast it tends to kinda jump as the car automatically slows you down. It really feels like you hit the brake lightly let off, brake lightly let off, etc... Which to me if I let off the accel and dont hit the brake the car should only slow down bacuse of friction. So my question is alot of the time when I am on a good incline or in a residential area where its slow I switch my car into neutral and coast to a stop sign. I can go much much further like this than letting of my accel only. Does switching to neutral do any dmamge to my car? Is it bad for it?

 

It's ok to shift to neutral. I always make sure I come to a complete stop before I throw it back into drive though.

I have also noticed this on the IS. My main complaint is the shifts. I can feel them pretty good both up and down. I've only had two other automatics, but on my TSX and RDX, I never really felt it much. Kinda gets on my nerves in the IS.

 

Are you in "pwr" mode? And/or does this happen most when you are going downhill? It could be the car downshifting to help you slow down.

When I'm in "D" + normal mode, I don't even feel the shifts. (07 IS250).

 

The car is downshifting to provide engine braking

and you won't "hurt" it putting it in neutral- but be aware that coasting in neutral is actually illegal in most states.

 

just like others said. the car is downshifting and the engine goes into maximum vacuum allowing the car to slow down faster than putting it neutral. i would think you're wearing out the brakes faster putting it in neutral and then braking.

 

Notice this in power mode as well. Engine braking should save you some brake pad wear, over time.

 

Not bad for the car but what's the point of driving an auto if your gonna be switchin to neutral all the time? Jus leave it in D and enjoy the ride man.

 

Ah, the old coasting around in neutral. This is pointless and dangerous. When in neutral, you're using your fuel to keep the engine idling. When coasting down in a gear, the transmission is actually what's keeping your car "running". You're burning less fuel decelerating with no load on the engine.

Also, popping the car in and out of neutral at a speed where the car is moving and the transmission is disconnected isn't good for the car. If you come to a complete stop, sure, I guess it's OK. Dumb, but it's not gonna hurt the car.

Morale of the story - most of these "fuel saving" techniques come out in the wash. If you're that hard up to be saving gas, switch cars.

 

my is 350 shifts fine on level grounds......but when going down hills it feels like its holding back and it, kinda like a hesitating feeling going down hills.......even when im going down hills at a steady speed and if i brake hard its gonna down shift hard to a lower gear and i can really feel that hard downshift......and after going down that hill it shifts back all the way to 6 gear quick........is that normal

 

pretend its a sports car ;]