When the weather is hot, and I need to bump up the idle speed to keep the coolant flowing and A/C cold, placing the trans in neutral is the way to go at a long stoplight. (Obviously, shifting back into Drive at normal idle speed). Or, when trailer-towing in hot weather. Or, after a difficult backing maneuver and I want the temp to stabilize before shutdown. (As there sure isn't much airflow at idle speeds).
I doubt this makes any significant difference in wear (assuming a good maintenance program), as any car used in around town, stop-and-go service is going to be shifted into Drive many times. Stop here, stop there, what difference is it making?
One thing I do know makes a difference is in shifting from Reverse to Drive without a slight pause in Neutral AND the vehicle being at a full stop. I constantly see folks change directions, and the auto trans is taking it in the gut. Now that's wear-and-tear!
Something else to think on: when the car is parked, do you engage the parking brake fully each and every time you stop? Or do you let the pawl take the brunt of the load?
I've seen more than one transmission destroyed (complete-and-utter destruction) when a parked car was hit, and the rear tires started to roll. Bye-bye trans! Locked rear wheels, no problemo. Although it may not happen, it would be a GOOD reason to deny fixing a trans by an insurance company.
Sold my last car, a '77 Impala wagon in 1995 with 240,000 miles, finally replaced that T-350 at 170,000 with 80% of those miles in-town. (I bought it used at 112,000 miles). No extra cooler on that one, just annual changes. (And yet again if submerged [due to vent] or towing).
As to being in Neutral, remember that most, if not all, US states require that a vehicle be in gear at all times. No exceptions. Driving or parked.
Neutral has its uses (especially for fluid pumping on some types), but like left-foot braking one has to learn the uses for full effectiveness.
I doubt this makes any significant difference in wear (assuming a good maintenance program), as any car used in around town, stop-and-go service is going to be shifted into Drive many times. Stop here, stop there, what difference is it making?
One thing I do know makes a difference is in shifting from Reverse to Drive without a slight pause in Neutral AND the vehicle being at a full stop. I constantly see folks change directions, and the auto trans is taking it in the gut. Now that's wear-and-tear!
Something else to think on: when the car is parked, do you engage the parking brake fully each and every time you stop? Or do you let the pawl take the brunt of the load?
I've seen more than one transmission destroyed (complete-and-utter destruction) when a parked car was hit, and the rear tires started to roll. Bye-bye trans! Locked rear wheels, no problemo. Although it may not happen, it would be a GOOD reason to deny fixing a trans by an insurance company.
Sold my last car, a '77 Impala wagon in 1995 with 240,000 miles, finally replaced that T-350 at 170,000 with 80% of those miles in-town. (I bought it used at 112,000 miles). No extra cooler on that one, just annual changes. (And yet again if submerged [due to vent] or towing).
As to being in Neutral, remember that most, if not all, US states require that a vehicle be in gear at all times. No exceptions. Driving or parked.
Neutral has its uses (especially for fluid pumping on some types), but like left-foot braking one has to learn the uses for full effectiveness.
