Best Way To Use An Auto Box ?

[vince-com]

Bonjour,

Since I've got the Sportcross I'm doing as my Lex agent told me, always put to neutral at a traffic light stop, or if I have to stop for a while, more than a minute (for example in the heavy Paris jams).

Is that right, and how are you doing with your ?

@d'taleur

Vince

[RYX]

Bonjour vince,

I tend to do that out of habit as I don't like the car creeping forward or leaving my foot on the brake when stationary. I'd use the handbrake if on an incline.

Hope that helps.

Rick.

[ricky_is200]

Hi Vince.

In my Mercedes handbook it doesn't mention anywhere that you should put the car into Neutral when stationary for whatever reason so for that reason I always leave it in D. I can't see it is much difference in the Lexus.

[vince-com]

so the clutch is always on with the D on.

[agalbraith]

I think the argument is that if you're waiting a traffic for a while, it puts a lot of strain on the cooling system for the transmission. Using neutral takes the load off it.

I only ever bother when the car is cold - as the 300 seems to rev quite hard for the first minute or so, and tends to strain against the handbrake particularly.

My 200 I only ever took out of D when parking or reversing.

[Steve]

I do it rarely... maybe when i am stuck in traffic

[Geoffers]

I leave it in D all the time. Maybe if I'm stopped for a while I'll push it into N or P.

Don't worry about the clutch - automatics have a completely different system.

[lexicon]

The only problem is the torque-convertor getting hot - it's more "transmission friendly" to put it N or P if you're stopped for any length of time.

On the other hand, I think most manufacturers expect that it'll just be left in D and build the tranny accordingly.

It's courtesy to other drivers to use the handbrake instead of keeping your foot on the pedal (particularly at night).

[vudu]

If I know I'm gonna be stuck for a while, then I put it in N just to give my right foot a break.. but I don't think you're doing any mechanical damage to leave it in D all the time. The transmission is designed to handle that!

but I find that in heavy/slow moving traffic, I use the SNOW button as it makes the car less sensitive when accelerating behind that oh so slow bus!

[Graeme]

Hi

On a slightly different note, I've just bought an IS 300 and whilst only having driven less than 500 miles have noticed that sometimes when pulling away slowly the gear change between 1st and 2nd (or is 2nd and 3rd can't tell really) "jerks" into gear, enough to be quite noticable. Other times (most of the time) it's silky smooth.

Anybody else had this?

[Michaelsb]

Hi

If you leave your car in D while standing still you will use more fuel due to the load on the engine, petrol's not cheap.

Michael :D

[Dobbin]

Hi

On a slightly different note, I've just bought an IS 300 and whilst only having driven less than 500 miles have noticed that sometimes when pulling away slowly the gear change between 1st and 2nd (or is 2nd and 3rd can't tell really) "jerks" into gear, enough to be quite noticable. Other times (most of the time) it's silky smooth.

Anybody else had this?

We had this on our IS300.

Our local dealer (Lexus Hadleigh) performed a mod to the electronic transmission control and sorted the problem straight away. We were informed that they are the only ones who have done this mod and they were in talks with Lexus Technical to formalise the process !

Good luck B)

[NigeSt]

Hi,

I think it's good practice to use neutral and apply the handbrake at junctions etc to reduce risk in the event of being rear-ended.

If you get rear-ended while waiting at a junction, a possible consequence is that your foot would come off the brake (or the clutch in the case of a manual) and the car would ***** forward, possibly into moving traffic.

This is a real hazard if you're making a right turn across an

oncoming traffic lane and have your front wheels already pointing in that direction.

Obviously if you're rear-ended you may be in trouble anyway, but having the car in neutral and applying the handbrake could help.

...just another consideration.

Thanks,

Nige