[Shop-talk] Automatic Transmission Question

[Jim Stone]

I am virtually certain that I heard this topic discussed years ago on Car Talk.  The discussed the pros and cons (like brake wear and tear vs. transmission wear and tear) and concluded that while it was totally unnecessary with modern transmissions, there was no real harm in doing so.

FWIW, in England they are required (or at least were 25 or so years ago) to put the car in park at stop lights if they have an automatic transmission.  (Manual trannys require the parking brake.)  That is one of those things most people stop doing once they have passed the driving test, but not doing so was something that could cause you to fail the test.

> On Jun 8, 2021, at 2:43 PM, Bill Rabel <brabel at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> A crucial time to use downshifting is descending a mountain pass using cruise control. Some cruise conrols will apply the brakes to keep the speed constant. 
> 
> I once had an Audi in which the brakes were drastically effected by overheating. Downshifting was the cure. 
> 
> - Bill Rabel
>   Fidalgo Island
> 
> “Those who can make you believe absurdities — can make you commit atrocities.” - Voltaire
> 
> 
>> On Jun 8, 2021, at 11:18 AM, jem at milleredp.com wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> 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.
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