Automatic gearbox driving?

Got a nice car out here in Oz, Mitsuibitshi Lancer with a 171000kms on the clock(rent a wreck hiring).

However the car is automatic and not having owned an automatic for 30 years (old BW35 gearbox) can anyone advise the correct proceedure when waiting at traffic lights for a long time or other stationary purpose, should I take it out of gear and put it into neutral to avoid wasting engine power when experiencing long delays?
( I would naturally leave it in drive at brief stops)
Your traffic lights out here in Oz seem to like only giving short time for right hand turners on main roads and engine seems to be wasting power with those long waiting periods.

A lot would depend upon your country of birth (Och Aye) or religion (forgive me Rabbi);)

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Originally Posted by Iain

A lot would depend upon your country of birth (Och Aye) or religion (forgive me Rabbi);)

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Yorkshire bred Iain, (very careful with the brass);)

I don't drive auto (except the Falcon on occassion) but would think you would select neutral or park so as to avoid the dreaded creep which I find irritating.
And don't forget only Sidley has those traffic problems, the rest of the world sorted it out ages ago:D

Just leave her in drive. It dosen't really make any difference if it's drive or neutral. I leave mine in drive all the time cause I am lazy and don't like the jerking every time you put it back into drive.

Don't worry about it unless the car itself complains. In the old days, it was a good move but with modern sludgematic gearboxes, it shouldn't be a problem. On a hot day, with the aircon blasting (hot fetid air), you may find she won't want to idle even if she is in good nick, but basically, don't worry about it.

Richard

leave it in gear. no need to take it out of gear, it wont use any power whilst you are stopped

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Originally Posted by jow104

Your traffic lights out here in Oz seem to like only giving short time for right hand turners on main roads and engine seems to be wasting power with those long waiting periods.

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Don't start me on the lights! Our lights are so dumb in this country. I've come to an agreement with them. They'll always be turning red as I get to them, and I won't get my expectations up.

:mad:
:)
:D

just let 'er rest on the backend of the ute in frontaya and just sorta worry about the peddle things when it looks like the front bus is gettin' away....

No

Put it in reverse and give the bloke behind you a thrill.

I thought that the reason that the automatic transmission was invented was so that we don't have to futz with the clutch at stop lights.

Leaving the auto trans in gear at stop lights causes far less wear to the internal clutches than shifting into neutral at lights.

Just leave it in drive - put yer foot on the brake. Brings to mind something by One of the Peter's in Peter, Paul & Mary - The Kid.... sitting at the stop light with one foot on the brake and his other foot 3" down on the gas... well, it was a while back

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Originally Posted by baxter

Put it in reverse and give the bloke behind you a thrill.

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Did that once in a fully loaded one tonner. I'd shifted down to 2nd to keep up the pace going up a hill. Shifted back to drive and missed and hit reverse.
The car leapt into the air and landed in the oncomming lane with the wheels spinning backwards ( the road was very wet) I fishtailed back into my lane just intime to pullup at a redlight. Drivers of other cars pulled up besides me with jaws agap whilst I did my best to look like I had meant to to it.:D
It wasn't long after that when the transmission started to play up.:(

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Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Did that once in a fully loaded one tonner. I'd shifted down to 2nd to keep up the pace going up a hill. Shifted back to drive and missed and hit reverse.
The car leapt into the air and landed in the oncomming lane with the wheels spinning backwards ( the road was very wet) I fishtailed back into my lane just intime to pullup at a redlight. Drivers of other cars pulled up besides me with jaws agap whilst I did my best to look like I had meant to to it.:D
It wasn't long after that when the transmission started to play up.:(

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You have got me worrying again:eek:

Can I check if my box has a gate to stop that happening to me? Or should I see what happens on my gear box?:D :D :D