Shifting into glide!

[royanddoreen]

When I coast in n down a long grade my speed most often has be3n reduced to below 60 mph and I hardly feel the trans engage when I shift into drive. That made me feel it should not be causing any problems.

[Dogman]

glad I saw this thread as I was thinking the same question today. I have been gliding and coasting to stops and down longer grades. My Kia Rondo (automatic) seems to be ok with it so far but the question was always in my head...how much fuel do I need to save to off set the cost of a new tranny? The answer: LOTS. So I do it only in ideal conditions where there is no shock in transition.

[royanddoreen]

My transmission shifts back into drive without any noise or vibration. I’m sure all hypermilers use this technique and haven’t heard anything bad about it.

[Taylor95]

Wouldn't this cause more wear on automatic transmissions? I'm cautious to utilize this on my vehicle because I think it would cause extra wear.

[elhigh]

It shouldn't.

The trans is already turning, and the engine is already turning. In this case the trans is overspeeding the engine instead of the other way around as when shifting from N or P into D from a stop. The torque converter will absorb most of the shock, if indeed there is any, as the clutches engage. Revs match, all is well. Like others said, a blip to the throttle to get the revs closer will further reduce the shock.

I drove my Forester this way for 13 years, struggling to drag its mileage up from the mid-20s, and when I finally got rid of it it wasn't because of the transmission. Of all its systems, the transmission is the one component that performed flawlessly the entire time I had it, and by the time I sold off the car it had about 360,000 miles on it. I think he'll be okay doing this with his car.

[19bonestock88]

Most automatic transmissions an glide in neutral with engine on, and some can do EOC without damage... just ask your local dealer if your car is flat tow safe, tell them you’re considering towing the car behind an RV...