Red light Nuetral Help or hurt?

[MARTINSR]

Hey guys, my first post here as this discussion has been interesting. But on the carburated car even though the idle speed remained the same, wouldn't the "load" cause more vacuum thus causing more fuel to be sucked out of the carb at idle?

Brian

[Domman56]

Cool thanks everyone for the input I'll keep doin it even if it's minimal it still CAN help the environment and save a little gas Might i suggest you guys try it too?

[Christ]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

Hey guys, my first post here as this discussion has been interesting. But on the carburated car even though the idle speed remained the same, wouldn't the "load" cause more vacuum thus causing more fuel to be sucked out of the carb at idle?

Brian

Originally Posted by Christ

Carb will still use more fuel because the engine is partially loaded, so it needs more power at either the same speed or even a lower speed to maintain it's condition (running). More power out = more fuel in.

Yep.

[Thymeclock]

I've never had an auto fail, and I beat the hell out of them.

Lucky you. I assume you don't do severe condition driving (all city, with lots of stop & go in heavy traffic.)

Considering that the only time I ever change fluid or filter is if I have to pull the engine, axle, etc... something that will cause fluid to leak out, which is seldom and far between, I don't think it's really necessary to change the fluid even as often as the MFG says it is (60k, is it?).

As fluid ages, it starts to break down. I prefer to change it often and keep it clean. From what you said I gather that you never clean out the pan and filter, either. If you ever do, it may change your mind...

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

Lucky you. I assume you don't do severe condition driving (all city, with lots of stop & go in heavy traffic.)




As fluid ages, it starts to break down. I prefer to change it often and keep it clean. From what you said I gather that you never clean out the pan and filter, either. If you ever do, it may change your mind...

"Beat the hell out of them" usually refers to worse than city driving. In fact, city driving is a picnic compared to the things I've done with auto transmissions.

I'm well aware of what happens to fluid, as well, and your preference is noted, and not under debate here.

I've cleaned pans and replaced filters, at the same times I change fluid.

If I change the fluid, it's a pan drop, filter change, and TC drain/removal. I literally change ALL the fluid at once, clean the pan, and inspect the transmission valve body for signs of damage/wear.

In fact, my wife's L200 (2001 Saturn) had 237k on it when we bought it, and NEVER had the transmission fliud or filter changed in it. I bought it from the original owner with a bad timing chain, replaced the engine, changed the filter and fluid, cleaned the pan, and all's well. This car doesn't have a dipstick for the transmission fluid. You're not supposed to change it. Ever.

When I cleaned the pan, after 237k miles, there was nothing in the pan. Pinkish fluid, and not even enough metal shavings to actually cover the 1" square magnet in the pan (OE installed).

This is basically the experience I've had with almost all the transmissions that, by your maintenance schedule, would be considered "severely neglected".

I feel the same way about it when people still insist on changing oil at 3,000 miles, as well, so it's not just you.

[Thymeclock]

In fact, my wife's L200 (2001 Saturn) had 237k on it when we bought it, and NEVER had the transmission fliud or filter changed in it. I bought it from the original owner with a bad timing chain, replaced the engine, changed the filter and fluid, cleaned the pan, and all's well. This car doesn't have a dipstick for the transmission fluid. You're not supposed to change it. Ever.

You just cited the #1 reason why I seriously considered but didn't buy a Saturn. IMHO, it doesn't have a dipstick because it's cheaper for them to omit it - and far tougher to check or change the fluid without it.

When I cleaned the pan, after 237k miles, there was nothing in the pan. Pinkish fluid, and not even enough metal shavings to actually cover the 1" square magnet in the pan (OE installed).

If "pinkish fluid" doesn't bother you, then I need say no more. I've seen discolored fluid and particles in pans at 30k miles. (But on your dipstick-less Saturn, there's no way you could know the condition of the fluid.)

This is basically the experience I've had with almost all the transmissions that, by your maintenance schedule, would be considered "severely neglected".

Maybe not "neglected", but with no dipstick it's "out of sight, out of mind".

I feel the same way about it when people still insist on changing oil at 3,000 miles, as well, so it's not just you.

Oh, I'm "worse" than that. I change engine oil at 3 months and filter every 6 months, regardless of mileage. After having a few engines succumb to sludge due to 'severe condition' use I learned that frequent oil changes are an inexpensive precaution.

"An ounce of prevention is worth..."

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

If "pinkish fluid" doesn't bother you, then I need say no more. I've seen discolored fluid and particles in pans at 30k miles. (But on your dipstick-less Saturn, there's no way you could know the condition of the fluid.)





"An ounce of prevention is worth..."

The OE fluid is "pinkish" to begin with. So were the 15 bottles of Dexron VI synthetic fluid I had to buy because I made a stupid mistake and turned the engine off before replacing the check plug.

As much as the faith you place in it.

[user removed]

My daily route is close to 50 traffic lights. On a good day I will catch less than 5 red, sometimes only 1. On a bad day it will be close to ten.

I know the timing of almost every light, except for the recently installed ones that are not coordinated with the rest. I also know which traffic moving in the intersection indicates my light is about to change green.

People fly by me because I slow down a long way before the light. My goal is to go through the intersection with the least change in speed.

One stretch of 3 miles is 12 lights, and if I average 47 MPH (45 zone) I can get through almost every one of those lights, and even catch a 7 second green left turn only at an intersection where the whole sequence takes almost 90 seconds.

If I go 3 MPH slower I will hit yellow lights and eventually have to stop.

Since the CVT in the Insight cost 5k to replace and is not rebuild able, I pay $80 to change the fluid at the Honda dealer. It only takes just less than 3 quarts and has no converter to drain, so it's cheap insurance for me.


regards
Mech