I heard that when you're at a red traffic light for a while, you should put your car in neutral? Why is that?
Also, I have an automatic transmission. What do these do, and when should I use them? (L, 2,1)
Thank you so much!
2007-12-24 13:14:21 · 7 answers · asked by revernance 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
There is no need to. Just leave it in drive unless you're going to be there more than a minute.
2007-12-24 13:16:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are stuck at traffic lights which last FOREVER to change, it's worthwhile putting the car in neural and pulling on the handbrake. I was told that it slows down the engine - instead of the car being in drive, which makes it want to move forward and is only being stopped by the foot brake, it puts the car in neutral which isn't "forcing" it forward. So there isn't that strain against the foot brake.
L, 2,1 are slower gears which you can use when moving extremely slowly in a traffic jam for example. You can go right down to L immediately but to get back to Drive you have to work your way up as your speed increases, one gear at a time.
2007-12-25 13:09:27 · answer #2 · answered by k.t. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your driving in heavy traffic in the summer with the air conditioner running, you should put the transmission in neutral at long stops as it will increase the engine RPM's slightly to help the air conditioner work better and also to allow the engine's cooling fan to operate more efficently keeping the eninge from overheating.
The L, 2, and 1 positions are used for driving conditions that require more engine braking such as going down a long hill, or for more pulling power if you are towing a trailer.
L is like what used to be granny gear in trucks, but now is just a gear that holds the transmission in a low gear for taking off from a stop with a heavy load.
2 and 1 are pretty much the same as L, but allow the vehicle to gain more speed or to gradually slow the vehicle going down hills. 2 will allow the transmission to shift from 1st gear to 2nd gear but will hold in 2nd gear and not shift into a higher gear.
2007-12-25 07:52:38 · answer #3 · answered by Bill S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave it in drive, switching back and forth between neutral and drive repeatedly can actually cause damage to the transmission.
If you put the shifter in L or 1 the tranny won't shift out of first gear, good for towing up hills. 2 will use first and second gears also good for just towing in general. Most of the time leave it in Drive or Overdrive if you have it.
2007-12-24 13:19:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No need to shift into neutral any time really. 2, 1, or L are for braking assistance when going down a hill at less than highway speed.
2007-12-24 13:20:06 · answer #5 · answered by meanmark306 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i believe you should put it in neutral every time because it helps prevent accidents. when driving a automatic when you lift your foot from the pedal your car thends to move forward so its advisable to do so. also your consume more gase by putting it on gears because it stresses your engine. try to observe your RPM
2007-12-24 13:26:50 · answer #6 · answered by poch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have faith in the engineering, they have taken in to account all . just drive proud.
2007-12-24 13:27:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋