Coasting in Neutral in an auto question

[Tbird1983]

Been a while since i posted on here.

I recently purchased a 2002 Daihatsu cuore 1.0, it is the 3 speed auto version.

I was wondering if its safe to change to neutral on longer downhills, i have noticed if i leave the accelerator it feels like the engine is braking on downhills so my thinking is neutral would be better for downhill coasting but i dont want to cause any damage to the auto box switching between neutral and drive while the car is moving.

[Gasoline Fumes]

If the engine is running while coasting and it goes back into drive smoothly, it's probably OK. But no guarantees!

[freebeard]

I was waiting for someone with an opinion. DuckDuckGo:

Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Can coasting in neutral damage an automatic transmission?
Can coasting in neutral damage an automatic transmission?
It is fine to coast in an automatic in neutral as long as the engine is running. If you stop the engine completely and coast (as is often the case when being towed), you can damage the transmission.

Moreover:

AutoGuru
Daihatsu Cuore Automatic Transmission Wont Go Into Neutral - AutoGuru
Daihatsu Cuore Auto transmission wont go into neutral Why doesn't my Daihatsu Cuore automatic transmission go into neutral? There are various reasons why your Daihatsu Cuore transmission might have trouble going into neutral: Shift lock solenoid - The shift lock solenoid is the reason why you can't

Vehicle Freak
Why Is My Car Gear Shift Stuck In Neutral? (Causes And Fixes)
There are a number of reasons why your car's gear shift may become locked in neutral, and we're going to help you identify and fix them. The reasons why your car gear shift is stuck in neutral are: low transmission fluid levels, damaged or frayed shifter cable, TCM problems, or mechanically damaged

So you do have a shift lock solenoid FWIW.

[Tbird1983]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

If the engine is running while coasting and it goes back into drive smoothly, it's probably OK. But no guarantees!

I tried it in my driveway at low speeds, shifts from Drive to neutral fine but that was at low speed, i think i will try again on my way home and do it at slow speed and then slowly try at higher and higher speeds.

Apparently from what ive read the older auto's are fine, its the newer ones with all the fancy sensors and what not that could cause possible damage.

[Tbird1983]

Originally Posted by freebeard

I was waiting for someone with an opinion. DuckDuckGo:



Moreover:





So you do have a shift lock solenoid FWIW.

This may be related to the newer model Cuore, but as i said above, will try at lower speeds and see. If anything feels funny i will stop immediately LOL, thanks for the links, appreciate it.

[Piotrsko]

I remember expensive cars having shift solenoids way back. Cadillac had one back in the 60's that did exactly that, locked you out of neutral and reverse if it was rolling unless brake was on. Used brake lights for power. Locking you outnof reverse is a safety measure for the transmission.

[redpoint5]

I've felt fine in vehicles where shifting back to D was smooth, like the Camry. I wouldn't do it in my Dodge pickup though because it clunks back into D.

Even some EVs there seems to be some risk to using N. The Bolt for instance has a pump that circulates a lubricant in the gears of the motor that doesn't run when shifting to N.

[Piotrsko]

Early volts and bolts had a water pump that ran in drive and reverse also. Cooled battery and motor. Cooked stuff if it was faulty. Expensive stuff.

Shouldn't go clunk unless driveline is worn or flex joints going bad.

[Tbird1983]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Early volts and bolts had a water pump that ran in drive and reverse also. Cooled battery and motor. Cooked stuff if it was faulty. Expensive stuff.

Shouldn't go clunk unless driveline is worn or flex joints going bad.

Been shifting to N when approving traffic lights and then keep it in N until i drive off, no clunking or any funny stuff so far. Havent tried at higher speeds yet but i dont think it will be an issue.

Just with the above, fuel economy seems to have improved but i also discovered i have a slow puncture which could also have made the fuel economy worse than it should be and now i have discovered an exhaust leak so once all that is sorted, i should already see a significant increase in fuel economy.