[Gtrain]

Hi Fellow Memebers,

I was just wondering, how many auto drivers shift to neutral when they arrive at a stop or cruising?
Basically I was just wondering if this is similar to doing the same as you drive manual.

Does anyone have an explanation of how it works? I'm thinking it's like a manual where it's less gas consuming. Is that correct to think?


Thanks

[bmw0perat0r]

[TiAg335i]

I don't. And you're pretty much wrong on all accounts. An auto is nothing like a manual.

[Chesmu]

It's actually not less gas consuming. In D, if the throttle is not open, you will not be using more gas at a stop. Look at your mgp gauge, it sticks at 50 mpg when you're stopped.

The only reason I put my 6mt in N at a red light is so I don't have to keep the clutch in.

And putting your car in N while cruising, and then re-shifting into D puts unnecessary stress on the drivetrain.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Good Question Though. I Do The Same. . . But I Do It So I Don't Have To Keep My Foot On The Brake At A Stop.

[speedyj88]

I used to do this in my automatic. I guess I was just bored and needed something to do with my hands...not a problem anymore in my 6MT.

[Stein]

The reason people with manuals to do it is to not use the throw out bearing as much.

[Chesmu]

Originally Posted by xPaulBaiLeyx

Good Question Though. I Do The Same. . . But I Do It So I Don't Have To Keep My Foot On The Brake At A Stop.

So You Drive Only On Flat Terrain?

Capital!

[T Bone]

Originally Posted by Gtrain

Hi Fellow Memebers,

I was just wondering, how many auto drivers shift to neutral when they arrive at a stop or cruising?
Basically I was just wondering if this is similar to doing the same as you drive manual.

Does anyone have an explanation of how it works? I'm thinking it's like a manual where it's less gas consuming. Is that correct to think?


Thanks

No need to comment about the need to do this with manuals.

Very few in North America shift to neutral in automatics but this practice is quite commmon in Japanese and Taiwanese taxis. These vehicles operate in hot city environments and whenever they are stopped, many shift to neutral.

I have ridden many taxis worldwide and this was one of the first things I noticed overseas.

[Dr_Dirt]

After some hard braking I might consider a neutral shift so I could take my foot off the brake to prevent heat soaking the rotors.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Good To Know

[LACA335i]

Originally Posted by Gtrain

Hi Fellow Memebers,

I was just wondering, how many auto drivers shift to neutral when they arrive at a stop or cruising?
Basically I was just wondering if this is similar to doing the same as you drive manual.

Does anyone have an explanation of how it works? I'm thinking it's like a manual where it's less gas consuming. Is that correct to think?


Thanks

On Manual when you shift N on cruising speed. the car ride by itself. it will eventually slow itself down. it is kinda like saving gas. lol Warning dont put on neutral if are going down hill. unless u want to kill yourself lol

[BoostedInPhx]

I found this information about the 335 automatic and its torque converter.

Leading these improvements is the ability to lock-up the torque converter in all gears, and from a lower engine speed (1000/1100 rpm instead of 1500rpm), to reduce the amount of energy that can be lost to the transmission fluid. In other words, the engine spends more time directly connected to the wheels, like a manual, and less time dissipating energy in the torque converter fluid (a typical torque converter has 80-85% efficiency, but these new versions achieve up to 92%, according to ZF).

Although interestingly, BMW decided it did not want to use the option of lock-up in some of the lower gears. Finally, the torque converter is disengaged at 0mph, which means there is no vehicle creep at junctions, and further economy benefits.

Here is the link to the full article http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=90340

[esquire]

the basis for the 1) the neutral shift brake vs 2) the downshift & brake argument really revolves around whether it's better to downshift and let the engine do some of the braking for you rather than wear your brakes down, or alternatively to shift into neutral, use your brakes, all without putting any stress on the transmission and clutch. basically it all boils down to preserving your clutch or preserving your brakes. people in the know will tell you that it's a no brainer. you put the car in neutral during brakes.... at the end of the day a brake replacement is cheaper than a clutch replacement.


read this article on the subject. i think you'll find it helpful:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/youngd...0/article.html

[Snecro]

Originally Posted by T Bone

Very few in North America shift to neutral in automatics but this practice is quite commmon in Japanese and Taiwanese taxis. These vehicles operate in hot city environments and whenever they are stopped, many shift to neutral.

Intresting...never knew this was done

[Carnage]

Nope, if I'm driving it's in D, if I'm parked it's in P.

[iatacs19]

I don't know how to drive auto, I've only driven manual transmissions.

[Carnage]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

I don't know how to drive auto, I've only driven manual transmissions.

It's tough but I'll send you my new and improved video, "MATSARGE's 10 best tips for driving an Auto" for only $49.95. Cash only.

[chbrules]

I've been looking all over to find if the 335i has a clutch lock in the auto! Very nice BMW.

When I owned my little old auto Saturn, I usually would just pop it into neutral and coast a bit while in traffic on the freeway. It helped tremendously keeping the car cool in the summer.

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by esquire

the basis for the 1) the neutral shift brake vs 2) the downshift & brake argument really revolves around whether it's better to downshift and let the engine do some of the braking for you rather than wear your brakes down, or alternatively to shift into neutral, use your brakes, all without putting any stress on the transmission and clutch. basically it all boils down to preserving your clutch or preserving your brakes. people in the know will tell you that it's a no brainer. you put the car in neutral during brakes.... at the end of the day a brake replacement is cheaper than a clutch replacement.


read this article on the subject. i think you'll find it helpful:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/youngd...0/article.html

You've got it backwards...People in the know on how to drive manual go through all the gears and never put the car into neutral when slowing down...you just don't have control of the car when it's in neutral.

[tctic]

The E90 engages neutral when the car is stopped for a period of time and engages back to D when you drive off.

[Revlis]

It would be SUPER NICE, if only those that actually own and understand how their car works would post up in topics like this...

So much misinformation in this thread...