Shift car into neuteral when stuck at long lights, etc?

Question

I'm wondering if I'll conserve gas if I shift my car into neuteral while sitting at long lights and waiting in rush hour traffic. It's an automatic transmission, a Pontiac Grand Am SE with a V6 engine.

Also: if this DOES conserve gas, is it worth it or will it be hard on the engine, transmission, etc?

Answer 1

it doesnt save any extra gas.

its just harder on the transmission to go from nuetral to drive (on auto)

and its harder on the cluth on a manual..having to quickly shift from N to 1st gear to get going

Answer 2

it might save minimal gas but an auto matic has a tourque convrter so it will idle and not have pressure against the tranny.and constantly shifting an automatic is hard on the trans. not on the engine but it is definately hard on the trans try keeping your tires properly inflated and don't gun it when u take off this is the best way to save gas in stop and go traffic

Answer 3

It does save fuel while waiting for the light to shift to neutral. Wont hurt a thing but you will notice the engine will not run as smoothly in neutral the engine control knows your are at idle and leans down the fuel mixture.Thus saving more gas.

Answer 4

There is no difference in fuel consumption -- it is hard on the transmission though, if you are changing from N to Drive without the vehicle completely stopped

Answer 5

It will add life to your clutch, but not save you any gas. When you depress the clutch you relieve the engine of the burden of the drive train.

Answer 6

The savings would be neglegable. And as others have pointed out... It would put more wear on your trans and its shift linkage.

Answer 7

No, it won't save any gas. Only turning it off will save gas.

Answer 8

I suggest you dont drive a V6