[Shop-talk] Automatic Transmission Question

[jem at milleredp.com]

> Quick question, I have a buddy that drives his automatic transmission 
> like
> a manual.  He shifts going up and down hill, even shifts into neutral 
> at
> stop lights.

I often hold a slushbox in a lower gear going uphill, or coming downhill 
for engine braking.

As for the people who shift into neutral at stop lights: I often wonder 
who taught them to drive.  Think the shock-loading on the trans and 
drivetrain parts shifting in and out of gear at stop lights is harder on 
things than just leaving it in gear, assuming you're not doing it for 
half an hour or otherwise in a situation (using torque-converter slip to 
hold you in position on a hill) that would overheat the thing.

John.