Auto gearbox...And how to use it ?

[S.Speed]

Good morning everyone...
Can I pick your brains about the recommended way to use Auto Gearboxes?
This car (C270 CDI) will be my first Auto and I dont wish to be doing things with it that should not be done!
I would like to know what is the most mechanically sympathetic way of using them..
For example if you come to say a cross road or traffic lights on a hill do you leave it in drive? Or are you supposed to go into neutral and use the foot parking brake..

Also, my route to work involves heavy start / stop traffic.. Again do I leave it in drive or am I supposed to go in and out of neutral every 2 minutes.

Thanks in advance..

 

[Mark A]

I would just put it in D & leave it.

If you have a search on the forum the question has been asked & answered many times.

 

[S.Speed]

Thanks Mark for the rapid response..

Simon

 

[nickcc101]

I leave mine in drive unless i need extra power uphill when i just move the lever over to the left and it changes down a gear.

 

[jp williams]

I leave mine in drive unless i need extra power uphill when i just move the lever over to the left and it changes down a gear.

Same with me,except for putting it into neutral when it seems that I am going to be stopped for any length of time or for for more than 20 seconds at night time(reduces glare on drivers` behind).
Do enjoy your automatic..they are brilliant and I think that they make you a more tolerant driver as you seem to have so much more time!

Happy motoring.

Regards

John

 

[alindsay81]

always in D

 

[sailorP]

Institue of Advanced Motorists advice is to check the manufacturer's handbook for the car. If there is no specific advice about the question, then you should leave the gearbox in drive when stopped, with handbrake applied if you are stopping for longer than a few seconds, as a properly adjusted handbrake will hold the car against the "drive" of the box, the gearbox is designed to do it, and continually shifting from drive to neutral will eventually cause more wear.

 

[television]

Yes leave in D, it tells you that in the book that you have not read yet

 

[turbopete]

is that the same for all models Malcolm? havent been able to find anything in my books. well the ones ive got for it anyhow.....

 

[television]

Yes it is for all MBs' and other cars that use the ZF boxes.

The wear that takes place when shifting from D to N or P is enormous, everything from the ½ shafts, the diff, the prop shaft and the box is affected.

Many have put up things like blinding those behind, that is not really true as you can look somewhere else. Other things put forward are if someone hits you up the back side and the damage that take place, but I do not drive waiting for that to happen.
I have driven auto's only since 1960 and I have never taken the car out og D yet except at very long waits, and when I get out