The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > Welcome and Discussion > General Discussion

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-19-2018, 06:02 PM   #1
In The Ten Ring
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

My dad used to do this every so often. When we'd come back across the mountain from visiting my grandfather, dad would sometimes shift the automatic transmission into "neutral" and drift with the engine running all the way back home (which was something like two miles).

Sometimes the Pontiac would make it but sometimes a slow poke would get into the way. When that happened dad would drop the shift lever back into "drive" and continue home.

I just want to mention, he wasn't using the transmission to restart the car.

So is coasting in "neutral" off a hill then dropping back into "drive" bad for an auto transmission?
In The Ten Ring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2018, 06:07 PM   #2
GOPAPA
"Tail Gate Best Seat In House"
 
GOPAPA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 7,292
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

I am not sure why ,,but I was told by a older guy at work that it is harder on a automatic Transmission to take it out of gear at a stop light and then put it back in when the light turns green ,,rather than just leave it in gear .. been years when I heard this ,glad you brought it up ,,maybe we both will get our answer..
__________________
When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.
GOPAPA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2018, 06:11 PM   #3
Troy Sr
Registered User
 
Troy Sr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Antioch, Ca.
Posts: 442
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

I wouldn't think so unless you shut off the engine which would stop fluid pumping through the transmission. That's why you shouldn't tow a vehicle with an automatic very far with the drive wheels on the ground. I believe there are a few cars out there with fluid pumps on the output end of the transmission which would be ok.
__________________
Take Care
Troy
Troy Sr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2018, 07:40 PM   #4
richard2717
Equal opportunity joke ofender
 
richard2717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Eastern Shore of MD
Posts: 9,863
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Just don't do like my cousin did, trying to save gas and went to put it in neutral at 50mph and went one too far into reverse. Made lots of noise but I guess he got it back down before it damaged anything,
__________________
Members I have met.
Dually Jams, OlBlue60, ScottH, Tommyboy24, Dujobo, Warbucket, 2003 Silverado, Notsolo, my90k5, 6t727t2, Special-K ,Jack_71C10, tabarcus,72blazer_mud_bogger,pwdcougar,RSavage,EricSean,1Rippen6,invicta455,tennaragtop71,arks, Kendal,Bennett68C10, Perpendicular, Chainsawman, McGeesCustomMinis,ShortbedClayton,longblue72,6768chevylover,Tim71,Travisarmenta,Ol' Drippy,fleetmitch,georgieb51,Dave,bcnya2,Dadsburb
https://paypal.me/6772GMtruckparts
Most women like the strong, silent type… Fortunately for me, my wife prefers the out-of-shape, mouthy type.
richard2717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2018, 07:56 PM   #5
Steeveedee
Who Changed This?
 
Steeveedee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,019
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

If it is running, no. AFAIK, the last transmission with a rear pump was the Powerglide, and I think the rear pump was deleted in about '68.

Putting an automatic transmission in neutral at a light and then dropping it into gear will hurt the trans about as much as putting it in Drive when you go to drive away in the morning, i.e., not at all...unless you are into "neutral dumps".
__________________
~Steven

'70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper

Simi Valley, CA
Steeveedee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2018, 09:00 PM   #6
jeffahart
Senior Member
 
jeffahart's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,880
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

You can get a ticket for coasting downhill in neutral. It you're a commercial driver and you get into a wreck and they find you were in neutral, I think you would be in a bit of a jam.


j
__________________
White K20
jeffahart is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-19-2018, 10:20 PM   #7
In The Ten Ring
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Yikes. Note to self "shift back into drive upon collision."
In The Ten Ring is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2018, 08:17 AM   #8
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,749
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

That's just for heavy trucks. Makes sense since brakes alone don't stop a freewheeling truck so well. That's why truckers are told to descend in lower gear, stop check brakes before descending, and most run engine brakes. Rolling free down a hill in a heavy truck is dumb truckin'. Really no good reason to unless you have a mechanical failure and need to drift off the road to a safe place.

Jack Benny didn't have an automatic in his car, but that cheap skate would coast his car (rather Rochester did) down hills to save on gas (on his tv show).

Another celebrity coasting downhill... and not supposed to hit the brakes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uO1gXmMkKY
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2018, 04:05 PM   #9
GOPAPA
"Tail Gate Best Seat In House"
 
GOPAPA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 7,292
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Jack Benny says ::Put the automatic transmission into ‘Neutral’ when you’re stationary…

When stopped at traffic lights, if your vehicle has an automatic transmission, putting it into ‘Neutral’ will take the pressure off it until the traffic lights turn green, when you can put it back into ‘Drive’. When the automatic transmission is in ‘Drive’, it’s still driving the wheels even if you have your foot on the brake to keep the vehicle stationary at traffic lights, for example. If you were to take your foot off the brake, the vehicle would drive forward under power without you even pushing the accelerator since the engine is running at idle speed and is therefore driving the automatic transmission.

after thinking a bit,, maybe Jack Benny did not say this.. kiddin ya Tim
__________________
When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.
GOPAPA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2018, 05:09 PM   #10
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,749
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

When I sit in traffic and it's hot I put it in park. Putting in neutral does the same thing, allows the idle to come up due to taking load off trans which is better for the vehicle than sitting in gear. It will stay cooler and that is good.
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-20-2018, 10:08 PM   #11
68C15
blood type; Retumbo
 
68C15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: next to my reloading bench
Posts: 10,269
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Late model cars/trucks you gain nothing by taking it out of gear at a stop. The trans line pressure is allowed to drop and the converter slips until you step on it.

Your Accord should be fine, just avoid manual downshifting too much. That carrier bearing won't like it.
__________________
Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card
68C15 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2018, 06:51 AM   #12
jjzepplin
Registered User
 
jjzepplin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ruskin Florida
Posts: 4,538
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Sitting in gear and not moving with an automatic is like Sitting in 1st gear with the clutch partially engaged with a manual trans. I always wait til I am at the stop light and then go into neutral. The engine rpms go up a bit and my AC fans move a little faster and 1st gear is not slowly burning clutches. You got to watch that light though cuz slamming into gear and accelerating can be catastrophic.
__________________
70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller
72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build
Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350
jjzepplin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2018, 08:57 AM   #13
WorkinLonghorn
Senior Member
 
WorkinLonghorn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,855
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Quote:
Originally Posted by special-K View Post
That's just for heavy trucks. Makes sense since brakes alone don't stop a freewheeling truck so well. That's why truckers are told to descend in lower gear, stop check brakes before descending, and most run engine brakes. Rolling free down a hill in a heavy truck is dumb truckin'. Really no good reason to unless you have a mechanical failure and need to drift off the road to a safe place.

Jack Benny didn't have an automatic in his car, but that cheap skate would coast his car (rather Rochester did) down hills to save on gas (on his tv show).

Another celebrity coasting downhill... and not supposed to hit the brakes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uO1gXmMkKY
The first ticket I got as a kid on my first vehicle, a motorcycle, was for "coasting out of gear" down Strawberry Canyon in Berkeley, California.
The judge just laughed as I recall. -BA
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.
WorkinLonghorn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2018, 09:02 AM   #14
WorkinLonghorn
Senior Member
 
WorkinLonghorn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,855
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

If you are going 60 down a hill in neutral and shift into drive, I'm sure that there will be wear and heat created. Nothing to worry too much about but I wouldn't do it on a regular basis but the coasting shouldn't hurt anything. -BA
__________________
'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.
WorkinLonghorn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-21-2018, 10:19 AM   #15
GASoline71
"I ain't nobody, dork."
 
GASoline71's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,921
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

"Georgia Overdrive"

Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars...

My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread.

The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck

Quote:
Originally Posted by LONGHAIR View Post
I would never rebuild a 305.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prostreetC-10 View Post
I love using vacuum gauges as part of the carb tuning process. I hook the gauge to the inside of my garbage can and leave it there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marv D View Post
Remember Murphys 2nd law of mechanical relationships... "OPPOSING COMPONENTS ATTEMPTING TO OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE, AT THE SAME TIME, GENERALLY END UP OCCUPYING ADJOINING SPACE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN"
Quote:
Originally Posted by cableguy0 View Post
Its cheaper to listen to advice given when you ask for help than it is to ignore everyone and wait for carnage.
GASoline71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-23-2018, 07:30 PM   #16
Hubscrub
Cruzin
 
Hubscrub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 2,835
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

My dad was an auto tech for 40+ years and he did it alot we had a big hill going into town we could coast couple miles to the red light to turn on the highway. He would say this car has some good bearings lol so saying he wouldn't have done it if it would hurt it for sure. I did the other day going down Monteagle mountain headed to Chattanooga we had some good bearings haha!
__________________
Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8

Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt

In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you.
Danica Grace 6/26/14
Hubscrub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2018, 12:26 PM   #17
GOPAPA
"Tail Gate Best Seat In House"
 
GOPAPA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 7,292
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Would it be safe to say then guys and gals ,, ,,, ::::::: If you are towing a automatic transmission car or truck ,,,and all the wheels are on the ground ,, BE SURE AND LEAVE THE MOTOR RUNNING ,, ha ha ..
__________________
When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.
GOPAPA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2018, 03:56 PM   #18
Ol Blue K20
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
 
Ol Blue K20's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 15,829
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GOPAPA View Post
Would it be safe to say then guys and gals ,, ,,, ::::::: If you are towing a automatic transmission car or truck ,,,and all the wheels are on the ground ,, BE SURE AND LEAVE THE MOTOR RUNNING ,, ha ha ..
__________________
"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers"

Dale
XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004

R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck
R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man
Ol Blue K20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-24-2018, 09:55 PM   #19
kingsolver72
10/30/19
 
kingsolver72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ottawa kansas
Posts: 5,193
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

My grandpa had a Rolls Kanardly. I don’t know if it was an automatic but it would roll down one hill and kanardly make it up the next.
kingsolver72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2018, 10:00 AM   #20
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,749
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

I had one like that but it wasn't a Rolls!
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2018, 11:39 AM   #21
Palf70Step
State of Confusion!

 
Palf70Step's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,574
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

I prefer to have power to the wheels at all times. I like acceleration down hill too.
__________________
Bill
1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside
2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD

Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC)

Bill's Gallery
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!
Palf70Step is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2018, 12:16 PM   #22
special-K
Special Order

 
special-K's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,749
Re: Is coasting in neutral bad for an auto transmission?

It is definitely bad to coast in neutral if when going back into gear you move the shifter the wrong way....................... OUCHEEEeeee!!!
__________________
"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed"

GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project)
GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling)
Tim

"Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman"

R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~
special-K is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com