Techie
Pahrump, NV, USA
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Only when it's very hot and long lights -- not so much for the engine temp but for the trans temp.
2006 CC Allure 40' Quad Slides Tag Axle Cummins 400
2004 Honda Element EX/AWD Toad; Blue Ox Aventa II/USGear
MS S&P/EVDO
FMCA
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hwybnb
Southern California
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Joined: 05/02/2001
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It is a transmission issue. Idling in gear puts a load on the transmission because it wants to go but the brakes are holding it back. Shifting to neutral during long stops will help prevent overheating.
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KOG
Winterville GA
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Joined: 01/31/2001
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Shifting to neutral will also have no perceptible effect in transmission temperature. Basically all it will do is wear the shift linkage and selector valve in the valve body. And it won't make any real difference there either. IN the case of carbureted engines allowing the engine to idle faster will actually increase fuel consumption slightly. But will improve engine cooling slightly due to fan turning faster. And you can speed the engine up above idle to improve cooling even more IF you're having a cooling problem at idle.
Bottom line: don't bother with shifting to neutral, it's a waste of time at best.
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itsalleasy
USA
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Joined: 07/20/2007
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geezer34nh wrote:The front pump in the transmission is driven by the shell of the converter so there is fluid being pumped through the transmission all the time the engine is running.
And if it wasn't how would there be pressure to put it in gear? The mechanic who said no fluids circulate in neutral doesn't know a lot.
If you are in gear and stopped there is power absorbed by the trans. But if you put it in neutral the engine rpm increases and the cylinders have to fill more times a minute. I would put it in neutral for convenience, not gas savings.
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hwybnb
Southern California
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KOG wrote:
Bottom line: don't bother with shifting to neutral, it's a waste of time at best. Allison disagrees. In my owner's manual it states that extended idling in Drive can cause transmission overheating and damage.
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smkettner
Southern California
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If it seems worthwhile to put in neutral I would shut off the motor.
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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hwybnb wrote:KOG wrote:
Bottom line: don't bother with shifting to neutral, it's a waste of time at best. Allison disagrees. In my owner's manual it states that extended idling in Drive can cause transmission overheating and damage. Extended idling is not sitting at a red light! Extended idling might be sitting at a RR grade crossing waiting for a slow freight to go by.
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thunderstruckhd
Ft.lauderdale,Florida
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Joined: 04/24/2007
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The best answer is, Its a total waste of time for nornal stop and go driving. Extended stoping or sitting is a whole different question...
2006 Allegro Bus, 42QDP, Tag axle, 400ISL.
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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Joined: 11/22/2004
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hwybnb wrote:KOG wrote:
Bottom line: don't bother with shifting to neutral, it's a waste of time at best. Allison disagrees. In my owner's manual it states that extended idling in Drive can cause transmission overheating and damage.
I doubt that Allison considers waiting at a traffic light to be extended idling. Contact Allison and they will confirm.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
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1963 Pontiac Grand Prix
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Re circulation of fluids.. And since the gears are not gearing, they don't care.
Re: gas millage/savings.. Two things affect gas usage on a carburetor type engine, Throttle position and manafold vacuum. Putting it neutral won't improve fuel consumption
on a fuel injected engine.. Skip the vacuum, it's all throttle position. and again it won't make much difference
A study done many years ago suggested that motors on automatics lasted longer than the exact same motor on a stick shift because of reduced vibration at red lights caused by leaving it in drive.
Save 130 on gas, Spend 1300 on new engine..
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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