Question about Neutral in an auto box

[AlexParx]

Hi

I'm new to automatic cars and I've recently bought a C220CDI. The 'dodgem' as I like to call it gives a relaxed drive in to work, but I prefer manual boxes. What is the Neutral gear setting used for in the auto box? Does anyone use it!?

Thanks

Also does anyone like the new Chrysler 300C?

 

[television]

Hi

I'm new to automatic cars and I've recently bought a C220CDI. The 'dodgem' as I like to call it gives a relaxed drive in to work, but I prefer manual boxes. What is the Neutral gear setting used for in the auto box? Does anyone use it!?

Thanks

Also does anyone like the new Chrysler 300C?

The neutral is used for instance, to push or tow the car, or in the event of a skid on ice or snow,it free's the wheels from the lock up effect from the gear box.

malcolm

 

[Blobcat]

I would not recommed towing an automatic in neutral for any distance. There are details about that in the manual.

Neutral should be used when you stop at traffic lights rather than sitting there with the foot brake on blinding the poor buggers behind you (which is also an offence). Select neutral and apply the hand brake (or foot brake in the MB). If you shift to Park at the traffic lights you put the reversing lights on which does confuse those behind you.

As for the Chrysler 300C, yes I quite like it, based on the W210 floor plan if I'm not mistaked. Next time I go to Canada I am either goingh to rent a 300C with the V8 Hemi or a Hummer.

 

[Stulc]

Neutral should be used when you stop at traffic lights rather than sitting there with the foot brake on blinding the poor buggers behind you (which is also an offence).

First Iv'e heard of that.....I know someone who's drove auto's for about 40 years and they dont do that and were told not to, I allway's keep mine in D (now dont shout at me, I was only told this too).
As for it being an offence, Iv'e never heard of that either, I know a traffic cop when I see him (next wk maybe) I'll ask him.

 

[Blobcat]

I know a traffic cop when I see him (next wk maybe) I'll ask him.

Pls do, with the advent of high level brake lights sitting with your foot on the brake just blinds the people behind.

Excert from highway code;


94: You MUST NOT

• use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users

 

[television]

I would not recommed towing an automatic in neutral for any distance. There are details about that in the manual.

Neutral should be used when you stop at traffic lights rather than sitting there with the foot brake on blinding the poor buggers behind you .

Brake lights do not cause dazzle, rear fogs do, that's why we only use standard wattage bulbs. It is better to sit there with your brake light on (not against the law) so that some one coming up from behind knows that you are stopped. No handbook that I can find tells you to put it into neutral at lights. Some countries like Sweden, it is against the law to be stationery with the engine running for more than 60 sec, Swedish handbooks tell you to use N so you can restart the engine.

Malcolm

 

[Myros]

we had along discussion about this last year

the manual states leave it in D for short periods such as at traffic lights. Use the parking brake to hold the car. If you can see it's a traffic jam/accident/not going to move for ages, you should switch off anyway. The advice was always any wait you know to be longer than 30 seconds, switch off, as you will save petrol. On a diesel obviously this doesn't work, as I think it's cheaper to leave them running than switch off and on.
Constantly shifting from N to D and back will wear out the clutches.

 

[Stulc]

Brake lights do not cause dazzle, rear fogs do, that's why we only use standard wattage bulbs. It is better to sit there with your brake light on (not against the law) so that some one coming up from behind knows that you are stopped. No handbook that I can find tells you to put it into neutral at lights.

Thank you....I dont need to ask him now..

 

[Blobcat]

Brake lights do not cause dazzle, rear fogs do, that's why we only use standard wattage bulbs. It is better to sit there with your brake light on (not against the law) so that some one coming up from behind knows that you are stopped. No handbook that I can find tells you to put it into neutral at lights. Some countries like Sweden, it is against the law to be stationery with the engine running for more than 60 sec, Swedish handbooks tell you to use N so you can restart the engine.

Malcolm

Brake lights do cause dazzle especially the high level ones, it is also 'dazzle or cause discomfort' which is open to the police's interpretation. Brake lights are 21W which is the same as fog lights. High level brake lights are right in the drives eye line, fog lights are lower.

If you are the last car in the queue keep you foot on the brakes until someone else come up behind you then take your foot off.
Changing between N & D is doing no more damage than holding if in D with the foot brake on.

 

[maldon]

I thought I had read somewhere that leaving an auto in N with the engine running (for extended periods of time) could cause the ATF to overheat.

Or was it just a dream?

 

[jberks]

If I'm going to be sat for over a minute and there are at least a dozen cars stationary behind me, I may pop it into N and put the handbrake on, other than that it's D and engage the SBC hold. I know it leaves the brake lights on but they don't have to stare at them. When stuck behind someone with bright brake lights, I just look out of the side window or at the dash. We're not going anywhere so what difference?

The rule was clearly intended for the muppets who leave their main beam on too long, have stargazing headlights or put silly lights in the back of their cars. I suspect whether brake lights come under it would be a grey area, as they could be regarded as a warning to other motorists further back, even if the car behind you has already stopped.

Many years ago, I came up behind someone on the M1 who thought it would be a good idea to put his handbrake on when stationary at the end of a traffic queue. By the time I was close enough to actually see he was stationary...well applogies to anyone trying to get out of London on that December morning - 1986 if memory serves.

 

[Myros]

if you are last in the queue

you should be checking your mirrors all the while . If I see any incoming traffic, I press the brake pedal to wake them up to the fact I'm stationary. If they don't slow dow, I press it again. etc etc etc. Until I get very scared or they stop. You should have the parking brake engaged, regardless of what you do with the footbrake. You would fail your driving test if you didn't.

 

[Blobcat]

you should be checking your mirrors all the while . If I see any incoming traffic, I press the brake pedal to wake them up to the fact I'm stationary. If they don't slow dow, I press it again. etc etc etc. Until I get very scared or they stop. You should have the parking brake engaged, regardless of what you do with the footbrake. You would fail your driving test if you didn't.

Agreed, also leave space in front of you so that if they cannot stop, you can move forward without hitting the vehicle infront. Always be looking for an escape route.

 

[television]

You would fail your driving test if you didn't.

Driving test ? whats that ! is it something new

Malcolm

 

[Scooby Don't]

I tend to do the same as Blobcat.
I'll keep the brake lights showing while I am at the back of the queue but, if I have a while to wait, I'll stick it in 'N' as soon as someone comes up behind me. It saves their retinas and a little courtesy never goes amiss...

However, I don't want to wreck the clutch or fry the ATF(?) so does anyone have the definitive answer?

As for the answer to the question "do brake lights dazzle" try riding a motorcycle down the M1 on a wet December evening. I assure you, you will be left in no doubt. Some are bordering on the painful...

Television, the driving test is something that is undertaken at a local video arcade whilst saving up enough tokens (1 on every 6 pack of "special brew") to apply for a "driving licence".

Unfortunately I am unable to shed on light on the reference to the "Highway Code" which I believe to be a work of fiction...

 

[television]

I can assure that you do not keep putting the car in N , everything in the gearbox is doing nothing, nothing burns out.You could say that the torque converter has no torque to convert. The wear to keep moving in and out of drive is high on all the drive chain.
MB and Volve handbooks state Position N must only be engaged in the event of a skid.

Malcolm

 

[tom7035]

Changing between N & D is doing no more damage than holding if in D with the foot brake on.

Not true actually. More wear and tear is caused moving the lever through any position than leaving it in 'D'. Minimal, granted, but fact nevertheless.

 

[Stulc]

if I have a while to wait, I'll stick it in 'N' as soon as someone comes up behind me. It saves their retinas and a little courtesy never goes amiss...

As for saving their retina's.....bugger them!....as jberks said (and I aggree) they dont have to stare at them, christ common savvy tell's you to look down/away :roll:

As for the bike situation.....I also ride one and the same applies if you get dazzled sitting behind someone (not that often) again look down/away...simple..

 

[SLinKyjoe]

the latest LED brake lights on both the SLK and SL models causes quite a few people to put their hands up to sheild their eyes.

i have only ever noticed this in my rear veiw mirror tho.

I dont subscribe to the idea of being courteous when holding the car on the footbrake, as what are you meant to do when you are in crawling traffic downhill when you keep the car at a sensible pace and people are right up behind you?

See and be seen. if the lights are too bright, you are too close, so stay back. Does anyone in the ML's knock the headlights off so it doesnt shine in the rear veiw mirror of the car in front when in a traffic que?

i only put the car in N if my foot gets bored. but i do sometimes switch the egnine off when waiting. normally at the rail crossings etc.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Does anyone in the ML's knock the headlights off so it doesnt shine in the rear veiw mirror of the car in front when in a traffic que?

Thats why MB install auto-dimming mirrors

Personally I keep it in D, and apply the parking brake. Less wear on the gearbox that way, its only fluid that gets worn. Changing between D and N all the time wears the metal bits down.