Can driving in neutral damage transmission?

[Frank Lee]

"Wear out the neutral gears"? I'd be inclined to not trust that mechanic anymore.

[night9]

I think the real concern is not the coasting in neutral (as long as the car is running) but actually putting the car back in gear from nuetral at speed repeatedly that may wear components on the transmision faster. Any thoughts on that?

[Frank Lee]

If it's a gentle re-engagement I'd say it's fine and if there's a clunk, grind, or lurch I'd say it's not.

[Atheria]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

If it's a gentle re-engagement I'd say it's fine and if there's a clunk, grind, or lurch I'd say it's not.

Thank you EVERYONE for responding. Since my tranny only has a warranty on it for less than a month, I'm panicking. Brake Masters said there was some metal in my transmission fluid, which IS concerning IF true. I did eventually have them change the fluid during my recent oil change.

Regarding putting the car back into drive after coasting in neutral at 40 mph or whatever, USUALLY I am good at it and know how to "feel" so that I go smoothly back into gear with no clunking. I will admit I clunked it a few times when I was getting used to switching back and forth. But the vast majority of the time I do it perfectly. I noticed the transmission can clunk even if I stay in drive, for example, if I have been coming down a hill to an intersection and have to slow way down to turn and then speed up again. If I hit the gas too hard, sometimes it'll clunk. Gentle is the name of the game...which, of course, also helps gas mileage, which is my goal.

:-)
Atheria

[Frank Lee]

SOME metal- depending on what and how much there is- is normal and not automatically a cause for alarm.

[user removed]

In most conventional automatic transmissions the primary pump is driven off of the torque converter. As long as the engine is running you have pressure for lubrication and to activate the bands which clamp down on planetary gear sets for power to the wheels.
Never coast engine off in any conventional AT because you have stopped all lubrication.

I would not even risk it if the owners manual said flat towing was OK. Cars have data recorders that show what you were doing and that would allow the manufacturer a way to deny any warranty claim.

I coast my 2011 Fiesta in neutral regularly, but it is a salvage rebuilt vehicle with no manufacturer's warranty. I have reengaged drive as high as 75 MPH without issues. The transmission control unit apparently detects vehicle speed and picks the appropriate gear when I re-engage drive. It usually goes to 6th (highest) gear then to a lower gear if my speed is below 40 MPH.

My powershift 6 speed is an automated manual transmission, completely different from your Toyota. I have coasted in neutral in my 06 Corolla without issues. I think you should be fine, but then take any advice at it's value, which in my case is.

"I ain't paying for your broken transmission!"

regards
Mech

[mcrews]

I had a totota avalon that I engine on coasted in neutral....alot. never had a problem sold the car at 216,000 miles

[GRU]

The owners manual will say the car should not be towed with all wheels on the ground because the engine is not running if you do that

[Atheria]

You've all made me feel better, thank you. Now I am "nervous" though and don't know if I should go back to driving like a "normal person" full-time or what. I drove in gear all day and hated it. I miss my coasting in neutral! In gear, it seemed like the car was always being held back when on a hill. Pfffffffffft.

:-)
Atheria

[UltArc]

I am by no way a professional at all, but I have a little experience that may help.

My 89 S10 Blazer, in 2007, had its tranny taken apart by my mechanic, a Jehovas witness. He aaid there were metal shavings, and he wiped them out, and it was fine. From his account, a series of gears constantly rotating is supposed to do that. That sounds like brake masters wants to break your wallet.

In most newer vehicles, no throttle in gear is better han coasting in neutral. I do not know this for FACT in ALL situations, but It was explained to me that the computers now know how to coast in gear, and when we people think we know better and put it in neutral, the tranny and engine are thinking 'oh crap, what's going on' and use more fuel to be ale to adjust faster.

Example: if you are on the highway, 55 mph. In gear, you can coast and use little fuel not accelerating. If you are in neutral, the tranny may be expecting you to suddenly drop to 2nd, 1st, whatever.

But I'm sure it varies. Just DON'T go off of rpm to judge. When I shift into 1st to go down a steep hill at 35, I approach 5000 rpms. But my mpg are not the 3-7 mpg I get when I am at 5000 rpm getting on the highway in first gear lol, rather 45+

my point is, every car is different, and you can only believe half of what you see, and nothing that you hear. I hope you find your answer and some peace