Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tampon on 22 September 2008, 17:55:57

Title: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: tampon on 22 September 2008, 17:55:57
When driving from Greenwich to Fulham on saturday arvo, it took 2 hrs of painful stop start, rolling along, stop etc. I was just pushing the lever back into neutral when we stopped and back into drive when we moved. Ended up doing it alot, feel the clunk ( nothing bad just normal auto engage ) of gears engage everytime.

Just wondered is that better than sitting there for a minute or two with your car in D and your foot on the brake ?
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 September 2008, 17:58:09
I leave it in "D" on the basis that selector switch failures aren't unheard-of so the less you move the stick the better.

The only real problem with this is if you sit with your foot on the brake holding the car against the creep, after heavy braking, it can deposit pad material unevenly and cause judder.

Kevin
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: TheBoy on 22 September 2008, 18:43:54
I'll pop it into N is I'm gonna be sat a while...
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 22 September 2008, 21:06:20
I searched through the net on this subject ..General acceptance is that

wait for 10 seconds in 'D' position but  if you will stay more use 'N'..
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: feeutfo on 22 September 2008, 21:26:16
i seem to remember something in the manual about not leaving it in gear too long, how long "too long" is im not sure, but if im at a set of lights that are takeing a while i just pop it into neutral.
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: tunnie on 22 September 2008, 21:36:46
i personally don't, however mother tunnie finds she has to apply a lot of pressure, and it hurts her foot after a while, so she pops it in N, and if on a hill, its the handbrake on.
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Ian_D on 23 September 2008, 01:24:41
I often put mine in N if lights change to red just as I get to them.

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i personally don't, however mother tunnie finds she has to apply a lot of pressure, and it hurts her foot after a while, so she pops it in N, and if on a hill, its the handbrake on.

Handbrake???? Whats that? ::)

I should really use mine! Not been used for months  :-[
Will stick it on next time the roads are quiet to remove the rust!  ;D
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Dave-C on 23 September 2008, 07:19:13
Leave in drive and handbrake for me :y
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Entwood on 23 September 2008, 12:42:46
Slightly off-topic .... :(

Those that don't/can't be bothered to  use the handbrake are heading for MOT trouble .. :(  It is lack of use that causes it to seize/become grossly inefficient and fail the test.... use the brake regularly .. like everytime you park (?) and it WILL work far better with far less hassle .. :)

End off-topic .. :)
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Proz on 23 September 2008, 12:46:13
I normally leave it in "D" but use the handbrake so im not sitting on the brakes ...... i knock it out of gear if its obvious its going to be a while though  :y
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 23 September 2008, 12:48:01
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I leave it in "D" on the basis that selector switch failures aren't unheard-of so the less you move the stick the better.

The only real problem with this is if you sit with your foot on the brake holding the car against the creep, after heavy braking, it can deposit pad material unevenly and cause judder.

Kevin

Thought thats why they had hand brakes.   ::) ::) :-/ :-X :-X
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 23 September 2008, 12:50:12
Talking of the "creeping" on the auto box I have noticed on the Omegas on a hill they roll backwards as the "creep" doesnt hold them, where on my 2 carltons they did not roll back on the same hill. :-/
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: HerefordElite on 23 September 2008, 13:25:04
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Talking of the "creeping" on the auto box I have noticed on the Omegas on a hill they roll backwards as the "creep" doesnt hold them, where on my 2 carltons they did not roll back on the same hill. :-/


not to alarm but i think it depends on level of oil / box condition Phil :-/ mine used to hold on a gentle slope and doesn't any more and reversing requires even more throtle which is why my garage door has got a tow-bar shaped dent in it ::)
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: TheBoy on 23 September 2008, 13:30:17
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Slightly off-topic .... :(

Those that don't/can't be bothered to  use the handbrake are heading for MOT trouble .. :(  It is lack of use that causes it to seize/become grossly inefficient and fail the test.... use the brake regularly .. like everytime you park (?) and it WILL work far better with far less hassle .. :)

End off-topic .. :)
Too bloody right.  And it can be expensive to sort out
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 23 September 2008, 13:46:15
Quote
Quote
Talking of the "creeping" on the auto box I have noticed on the Omegas on a hill they roll backwards as the "creep" doesnt hold them, where on my 2 carltons they did not roll back on the same hill. :-/


not to alarm but i think it depends on level of oil / box condition Phil :-/ mine used to hold on a gentle slope and doesn't any more and reversing requires even more throtle which is why my garage door has got a tow-bar shaped dent in it ::)

Good point, worth checking.  Cheers  :y :y

Just remembered. Fooking soopid sealed boes, need to get under it.   Lizzie . . . . . .where are yooooooou :) :-X :-X :-X :-/
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Andy B on 23 September 2008, 14:23:43
Quote
Slightly off-topic .... :(

Those that don't/can't be bothered to  use the handbrake are heading for MOT trouble .. :(  It is lack of use that causes it to seize/become grossly inefficient and fail the test.... use the brake regularly .. like everytime you park (?) and it WILL work far better with far less hassle .. :)

End off-topic .. :)

Which reminds me ..... I never did look at the back brakes on my car when something had been locking up in there. Must use the car more!  ;)
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Alex Wood on 23 September 2008, 14:46:23
I always knock mine into N, and usually on approach to a roundabout I'll use 3 or maybe 2 for engine braking then N once down to really low speed because the whole 'braking against resistance' thing still feels wrong to me even though I know it's normal operation for autos. Always use the handbrake in traffic, gives me something to do!
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Andy B on 23 September 2008, 14:48:28
I just stick mine into P if I'm going to be stopped for more than a few minutes.
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: SteveMJ on 28 September 2008, 13:35:41
If you leave the box in drive the power from the engine is going into the ATF as heat - maybe not much - but there is no cooling due to forward movement.

Also you have the fun of frightning the car behind when the reverse lights flash as you go from Park to Drive via Reverse, ha, ha  ;)

Steve
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: feeutfo on 28 September 2008, 14:27:14
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I always knock mine into N, and usually on approach to a roundabout I'll use 3 or maybe 2 for engine braking then N once down to really low speed because the whole 'braking against resistance' thing still feels wrong to me even though I know it's normal operation for autos. Always use the handbrake in traffic, gives me something to do!
Use sport mode for more engine breaking, probably use it more for slowing down than going quick. I rarely use 3 2 or 1 unless its a steep down hill.
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 28 September 2008, 16:03:20
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If you leave the box in drive the power from the engine is going into the ATF as heat - maybe not much - but there is no cooling due to forward movement.Also you have the fun of frightning the car behind when the reverse lights flash as you go from Park to Drive via Reverse, ha, ha  ;)

Steve

agreed , last year in one occasion stucked in traffic for 2.5 hrs and the autobox  behave like its fubar :-/ (summer time)
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: ngrainqey on 28 September 2008, 16:25:33
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Talking of the "creeping" on the auto box I have noticed on the Omegas on a hill they roll backwards as the "creep" doesnt hold them, where on my 2 carltons they did not roll back on the same hill. :-/

my omega creeps up hills lol (if it's a steep hill then it holds or just rolls back slightly- i often knock it into neutral as im slowing down to traffic lights as i dont like coming to a stop and putting it in neutral and see the back of the car suddenly rise lol.

but yeah there is a clunk between any gear and neutral but thats as it's picking up the gear as far as i know
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: graham131 on 06 October 2008, 17:09:30
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Quote
I always knock mine into N, and usually on approach to a roundabout I'll use 3 or maybe 2 for engine braking then N once down to really low speed because the whole 'braking against resistance' thing still feels wrong to me even though I know it's normal operation for autos. Always use the handbrake in traffic, gives me something to do!
Use sport mode for more engine breaking, probably use it more for slowing down than going quick. I rarely use 3 2 or 1 unless its a steep down hill.

Sports mode works for me too - hate having to brake just to slow down a bit.

Its only like dropping a gear in a manual

Graham
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: graham131 on 06 October 2008, 17:10:42
Quote
Quote
Talking of the "creeping" on the auto box I have noticed on the Omegas on a hill they roll backwards as the "creep" doesnt hold them, where on my 2 carltons they did not roll back on the same hill. :-/

my omega creeps up hills lol (if it's a steep hill then it holds or just rolls back slightly- i often knock it into neutral as im slowing down to traffic lights as i dont like coming to a stop and putting it in neutral and see the back of the car suddenly rise lol.

but yeah there is a clunk between any gear and neutral but thats as it's picking up the gear as far as i know

very similar - mine has done 136,000 and still holds perfectly on most hills.  Very little noise or jerks with any changes
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Auto Addict on 11 October 2008, 08:27:57
My handbook says it's OK to leave it in drive when 'stopped', but always engage the handbrake, because if your shunted from behind, your foot could slip off the foot brake.

Nasty, if your first in the queue at a pedestrian crossing!
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Lazydocker on 11 October 2008, 10:32:49
I do tend to run down through the box when slowing down... I suppose it's something that comes naturally as I have always been a big user of engine breaking. I do it even more with the Pikey Box on the back!

I suppose I do knock it into N if I'm going to be waiting a while but depends on the situation!
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 11 October 2008, 14:05:58
Leave it in Drive......unless I am stopped for a very long time. :y :y
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Andy B on 11 October 2008, 14:18:26
It always seems that as soon as I knock it into Park, then the (traffic) lights change! :-? :y
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Peter H on 11 October 2008, 14:55:15
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It always seems that as soon as I knock it into Park, then the (traffic) lights change! :-? :y


I am convinced that the auto box in the XJ-S does the same, as soon as I get bored and move it the lights change.

For me it very much depends on how I am feeling, if I am NOT drinking coffee, playing with iPod, looking at directions (in other words not 'driving') then I bother to shift to N or P, if I am distracted and probably should not be driving anyway I leave it to cook in D!
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Andy B on 11 October 2008, 17:26:49
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......
For me it very much depends on how I am feeling, if I am NOT drinking coffee, playing with iPod, looking at directions (in other words not 'driving') then I bother to shift to N or P, if I am distracted and probably should not be driving anyway I leave it to cook in D!

XJS V12! I'm surprised you don't switch off every time you stop, not exactly built for economy.  ;D ;D ;D
The bloke I take my car to for the air con re-gas is into his Jags. He had a fantastic 'facelift'(?) drop head in last time I went there, the engine bay was as full as it could possibly be! Stunning car!
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Vamps on 11 October 2008, 19:06:11
I only stick it into 'N' if going to be stopped for a while, I understand that one of the reasons why you should not sit with foot break on is that is can warp the disk.

Never use P unless parking the car up, My Citroen does not even have P. :)
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Andy B on 11 October 2008, 19:43:59
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I only stick it into 'N' if going to be stopped for a while, I understand that one of the reasons why you should not sit with foot break on is that is can warp the disk.

......

That only really applies if you've been doing some really serious braking and got the discs very hot, your pads then soak up heat from just one spot. Normall driving around town isn't going to much of a problem.
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 11 October 2008, 20:32:07
I always change into neutral if stopped for more than a few minutes, especially at night, as I [size=24]can't stand other people's brake lights in my face[/size] when stopped in a queue, so try to avoid it myself! ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Peter H on 11 October 2008, 21:00:19
I agree about the brake light thing, I try not to keep 'em blazing, unless I am the last in a que of traffic, then I do incase some **** decides to not pay enough attention!
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 11 October 2008, 21:04:24
Interesting to see how other peeps do things.....

I asked a driving examiner 4-5 years ago.....when I had to take a driving test....which I should be doing when stationary....leave in D and foot on the brake or N or P and handbrake on.......he replied whichever you feel comfortable with......so I just carried on doing what I normally do, foot on brake and leave in D......sometimes put in P if the wait is getting tedious, just to give my braking foot a rest.

I did read recently on a motoring column....may have been Honest Jons....but carnt remember tbh.....that leaving the box in D when stationary....does no damage to the box.....and keep putting it in P or N will probably do more damage in terms or wear and tear on the mechanical bits.
Title: Re: Autos in traffic, knock it into neutral ?
Post by: Peter H on 11 October 2008, 21:23:48
In fairness 'Honest John' is a bit of a tool at times.

Occasionallly when he talks about something I know about the advice seems a bit cliched at best, or wrong at worst.

If he were a medicine the box would say:
To be taken once weekly with a pince of salt!