Thread: Automatics (cars)

This could very well turn out to be a really dumb question but when you're stopped at the traffic lights etc do you keep your car in gear or put it in neutral/park?

The reason I ask is because generally if I'm stopped for any length of time (say longer than 30sec or so) I tend to put it in neutral - particularly when driving my Benz because I've noticed that the revs are higher and therefore the oil-pressure too. My thinking is that with an older car like that it's always best to maintain as constant an oil pressure as possible and the higher the better (at least within normal limits).

I can't help but also think that in gear there's slightly more strain on the engine (wear & tear) and subsequently fuel economy over a period. Does anyone know if there's actually any appreciable difference?

no you dont have to it is up to you but they are fine left in gear

I habitually slip it out of gear as I am used to a stick-shift.

Cheers Elwood. So no difference then huh.

Probably should've guessed, was just one of those things that my mind drifts to when idling (pun intended) away the time in traffic on the way to/from work.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

I habitually slip it out of gear as I am used to a stick-shift.

Yeah bit of that with me too. I don't think I'd ever even driven an automatic before coming to Thailand? Certainly never owned one.

Automatics are for women.

and Thais.

^ Can't argue against there practicality here though. I was at first insistent that we get a manual when the wife and I were thinking about a new car.

A few months of Thai traffic in a manual soon cured me of that.

No real difference in neutral or in gear. From a safety standpoint seems to me neutral would be best for both auto and manual. Less likely the car will jump forward if your foot slips of the brake (or the clutch).

^I was told different for a manual Norts (similar rationale though). Apparently in gear your foot is likely to come off the clutch if hit from behind and help stop you hitting the car(s) in front as a result.

Mind you I was told this by a driving instructor that used to get me to drive around the office complexes during lunch so he could look at all the girls whilst 'teaching' me so who knows??

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

This could very well turn out to be a really dumb question

well predicted.

I put the car in park when at one of those long lights as holding the brake does apply more strain on the engine.

As to using an automatic transmission it makes more sense in the stop and go city traffic here and also for a free hand to do the ever so important game of pocket pool.

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

I habitually slip it out of gear as I am used to a stick-shift.

I always popped it into 1st and kept my foot on the clutch. With autos I just keep my foot on the brake.

The engine strain created is nominal in the case of "autos" anyway. However the extra shifting in and out of neutral places more strain on the entire drive train than just leaving it in drive. Therefore a trade off though I believe it's in favor of leaving it in gear.

As for cars coming at you from behind if the car is in gear you have a chance to react and pull to the side of the car in front of you which you should have left room to do anyway or even just roll up a few feet which can make all the difference but you can't do quickly enough if the need arises when it's in neutral....

The foot off the accelerator in a rear end-er is a double edge sword if the car doesn't stall which it may not if it is rolling forward with enough momentum from the impact. But if it does you might just win the lottery..

Automatics are for Thais, women and Merkins.... if you can't manage a knife and fork at the same time then the accelerator and clutch are a real challenge!!

I'm glad you asked this question.
The IAM says you should leave it in gear unless stopped for over a minute.

The new Vauxhall Astra doesn't give you the option, it puts it into neutral for you.

Personally I put it into neutral if I am stopped.
I have to pull the handbrake on real hard to stop it creeping and I will not hold it on the footbrake as this can lead to warped discs after a heavy stop.

Originally Posted by toslti

Automatics are for Thais, women and Merkins.... if you can't manage a knife and fork at the same time then the accelerator and clutch are a real challenge!!

I prefer the control offered by a manual transmission and the driver relation it offers.

But with the constant stop and go city traffic here in Thailand a automatic makes much more sense.

^

On a rainy Friday afternoon in Bangkok at the end of the month, leaving the car at home and walking makes even more sense.

he just wanted to tell everyone he had a mercedes......lol..

Originally Posted by cariden

he just wanted to tell everyone he had a mercedes......lol..

Albeit a 20 year old one..."lol"

best leave it in neutral with the handbrake on.

I was told to shift the car into neutral if you are stopped for a lengthy period of time. The reason being that not all parts of the transmission are lubricated while stopped in gear. You might want to confirm that because I don't have greater details.

Actually I've heard that leaving it in gear is safer, so that you don't shoot forward if hit from behind....

There are some times when you would rather be shoved out of the way. If a heavily laden truck were bearing down on me at 100 kph I think I'd rather be shoved out of the way than crushed. You can't really generalise as to what is best because different approaches suit different situations.

Personally I will continue placing the car in neutral with my foot on the brake. Gives me control. When I took my Californian test I did this at traffic lights and the examiner gave me an odd look. Didn't mark me down, but I think he found it unusual. I put that down to him being American though.