D1 or Neutral at traffic lights?

fatbaldboy · Post by **fatbaldboy** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:18 am

I'm completely new to automatic transmission (other than a 20 minute drive in a Citroen Berlingo about 10 years ago).

Is there a preference (or better 'a science') as to whether or not to go into neutral when momentarily stopped at traffic lights etc?

Pretty sure I read in the manual you should pop it into neutral - that seems counter intuitive to me with regard wear and tear. But I'm not an engineer. Or particularly clever.

(For those wondering, the 35i is a better drive than the Berlingo)

Marcoose · Post by **Marcoose** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:27 am

Turn it off, get out and kick the tyres.

I keed, I keed.

Leave in N.

matsmith749 · Post by **matsmith749** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:29 am

I don't ever change from D.

After 30 years, not had an issue with an auto (or a DCT) doing this.

Worcester_spoon · Post by **Worcester_spoon** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:30 am

Leave in D, foot on the brake, it's what it's designed to do.

smorris_12 · Post by **smorris_12** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:32 am

Many, many years ago for fully automatic boxes they were best left in drive as repeated re-engagement of the clutch packs wore them out. Newer boxes less so but probably good advice.

But this I suspect is a twin clutch box. I vaguely recall reading that shifting into neutral was a good idea as it stopped any danger of it thinking it was about to pull away and holding the clutch at the biting point.

fatbaldboy · Post by **fatbaldboy** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:39 am

It is twin clutch.

Interesting about it possibly holding at biting point - I could see that having an effect on wear and tear.

Busterboo · Post by **Busterboo** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:56 am

Haven't driven a manual box for 20 years. Pain in the ar$e and the left leg.

For at least 250,000 miles with auto, used only right foot to go & stop.

Automatic, you see.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:08 pm

Most modern DCT and auto boxes automatically disengage the clutches and/or shift into neutral on level ground when the brake is applied..

The only real exception is not to balance the car on an incline as then the clutches will engage and that will result in rapid wear if done habitually or for long periods..

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:15 pm

Sell it and buy a manual.
Autos are for old / lazy / infirm people.

fatbaldboy · Post by **fatbaldboy** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:46 pm

Chris_D wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:15 pm Sell it and buy a manual.
Autos are for old / lazy / infirm people.

I appear to have bought a perfectly suited car

mcbutler · Post by **mcbutler** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:46 pm

Are you talking about the DCT or a slush box?
In regard to DCT it does not matter but its best to avoid constant crawling at tickover, you can end up overheating the clutch pack doing this as its slipping a lot of the time...
With a slush box it doesn't really matter, putting it in N might let the oil cool a bit if you are there a while I guess, maybe not...

Busterboo · Post by **Busterboo** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:21 pm

Chris_D wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:15 pm Sell it and buy a manual.
Autos are for old / lazy / infirm people.

When F1 goes back to manual, so shall I.

GreyZed · Post by **GreyZed** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:34 pm

Stay in D and lord it over all the peasants around you who still have to do their own gear changes with their actual hands. I mean come on changing gear yourself is just one step away from the horse and cart!

Seriously though - the first time I was in a traffic jam after going auto I realised just how great they are.

matsmith749 · Post by **matsmith749** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:32 pm

As said - a DCT coz is doing the clutch release for you anyway - it is effectively out of gear as you come to a stop.

Going to neutral does nothing at all.

zxy · Post by **zxy** » Thu Mar 30, 2023 5:32 pm

If the DCT is in neutral at a stop light, why does the car want to creep ahead on a level or even slightly uphill. This has always bothered me because the Dct has no torque converter, (slushbox). I think there is some clutch drag, or mine is out of adjustment.
So am I the only one who needs to hold the car with the brake at a light or shift into neutral?

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