use neutral much?

Yellowpinkie · 01-30-2014, 07:33 AM

Hi all

quick question - my first auto car and it occurred to me that I never put it in neutral when stationary. Obviously not an issue when the stop/start is activated, but if you're stopped and the engine's still running is it ok to leave it in D or should it be put in neutral. Or doesn't it matter?!

ta

Ric

F30AM · 01-30-2014, 07:42 AM

I either put it into P or if I forget and when I open the door it goes automatically into P. Obviously I've activated the hand brake before I open the door!

BongoBongoLand · 01-30-2014, 07:43 AM

Some interesting points brought up in this thread which you may have seen ?

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...ght=ASS&page=2

Yellowpinkie · 01-30-2014, 07:50 AM

thanks for that (and thankyou for not flaming me to death with a chorus of noooob/rtfm replies!) Doesn't sound like N's necessary at a stop, which does kind of make me wonder why it's there...

Cilonen · 01-30-2014, 08:56 AM

Probably for those (hopefully rare) occasions when the car needs towing.

JohnM · 01-30-2014, 09:05 AM

Never

alibonyad · 01-30-2014, 09:32 AM

I never use neutral. I never even use the manual handbrake, I only press P then leave it. The manual handbrake is too much effort! On a serious note, I can't see the point in it when it's in park unless on an extremely steep hill. Too many buttons to press when you get into the car as it is!

SomeRandomer123 · 01-30-2014, 09:51 AM

Won't that place extra and unnecessary stress on the parking prawl/pin if the car rolls onto it slightly?

crazybones · 01-30-2014, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cilonen

Probably for those (hopefully rare) occasions when the car needs towing.

Unfortunately, you can't tow the car in in neutral. It defaults to park.

There is a procedure to release park which I believe allows the car to go into neutral for 15 mins - just long enough to be put safely onto a flatbed

mproudfoot · 01-30-2014, 10:46 AM

I use P at traffic lights because (with ASS), because unless what seems like the majority of (extremely inconsiderate) people I end up behind, I'd rather not leave the people behind me with my brake lights burned into their retinas. The alternatives are to have the engine running and put the handbrake on (which 't feel right to me when it's fighting against auto creep), shift it into Neutral or turn ASS off and use the handbrake.

Steven1077 · 01-30-2014, 07:41 PM

I tend to just knock it into neutral and use the foot brake to hold it if its only going to be stationary for a very short period of time, then you can just knock it back in drive without pressing the button, I never leave it in gear when I'm stationary

ukbeemerboy · 01-31-2014, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mproudfoot

I use P at traffic lights because (with ASS), because unless what seems like the majority of (extremely inconsiderate) people I end up behind, I'd rather not leave the people behind me with my brake lights burned into their retinas. The alternatives are to have the engine running and put the handbrake on (which 't feel right to me when it's fighting against auto creep), shift it into Neutral or turn ASS off and use the handbrake.

It's not inconsiderate, it indicates to the people behind that your stopping or have stopped and that your in control of the vehicle. If your sat there in Park and your foot off the brake and you need to react to anything quickly you can't. Park is for literally that, parking.

ukbeemerboy · 01-31-2014, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven1077

I tend to just knock it into neutral and use the foot brake to hold it if its only going to be stationary for a very short period of time, then you can just knock it back in drive without pressing the button, I never leave it in gear when I'm stationary

You put unnecessary stresses on the gearbox by going from drive, to neutral each time.

JustChris · 01-31-2014, 03:15 AM

Several autos in a row all with auto hold mind you X5 and 5 series and never use Neutral, no issues for me....

BongoBongoLand · 01-31-2014, 03:33 AM

So leaving it in "D" with the handbrake only on, not the brake pedal, when stopped say at a set of lights (assuming ASS isn't on/activated) is perfectly fine ?

MikeMinh · 01-31-2014, 07:49 AM

Had auto trans for 20 odd years in BMWs. I always stop at traffic lights just with the brake, no need to go N or P, least of which handbrake. This also what is commonly and rightly so taught by driving instructors.

Handbrake is in my view a silly regulatory left-over from the past, the regulations don't take into account that P mechanically blocks the car movements.

Going from N to D means the torque converter needs to build up hydraulic pressure, this is fast, but a short (really short) delay. Noticeable though.

ASS these days is seriously cool, I takes a week or two to get used to the total silence with "engine off" at traffic lights, but you will get into it.

01-30-2014, 07:33 AM	#1
Yellowpinkie Private First Class 29 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 330d Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	use neutral much? Hi all quick question - my first auto car and it occurred to me that I never put it in neutral when stationary. Obviously not an issue when the stop/start is activated, but if you're stopped and the engine's still running is it ok to leave it in D or should it be put in neutral. Or doesn't it matter?! ta Ric
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-30-2014, 07:42 AM	#2
F30AM Major General 706 Rep 5,021 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport sDrive Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	I either put it into P or if I forget and when I open the door it goes automatically into P. Obviously I've activated the hand brake before I open the door! __________________ Previous: Superman 330d sDrive M Sport + Toys Present: Red Tornado Golf 7R 5 Dr, DSG + Toys
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 07:43 AM	#3
BongoBongoLand New Member 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: E90 330D Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	Some interesting points brought up in this thread which you may have seen ? http://www.f30post.com/forums/showth...ght=ASS&page=2
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 07:50 AM	#4
Yellowpinkie Private First Class 29 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 330d Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Devon iTrader: (0)	thanks for that (and thankyou for not flaming me to death with a chorus of noooob/rtfm replies!) Doesn't sound like N's necessary at a stop, which does kind of make me wonder why it's there...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 08:56 AM	#5
Cilonen First Lieutenant 180 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2021 Tesla M3, 2016 F11 530d Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Probably for those (hopefully rare) occasions when the car needs towing.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 09:05 AM	#6
JohnM Private First Class 1 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport PPK Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dorset iTrader: (0)	Never
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 09:32 AM	#7
alibonyad First Lieutenant 23 Rep 386 Posts Drives: 335D xDrive ordered Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: North East iTrader: (0)	I never use neutral. I never even use the manual handbrake, I only press P then leave it. The manual handbrake is too much effort! On a serious note, I can't see the point in it when it's in park unless on an extremely steep hill. Too many buttons to press when you get into the car as it is!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 09:51 AM	#8
SomeRandomer123 Colonel 306 Rep 2,612 Posts Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK iTrader: (0)	Won't that place extra and unnecessary stress on the parking prawl/pin if the car rolls onto it slightly? __________________ Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT On Order: 2015 Audi A6 Avant Ultra, Black Edition (sorry!)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 10:46 AM	#10
mproudfoot Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 227 Posts Drives: 320d F31 M Sport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Helensburgh, Scotland iTrader: (0)	I use P at traffic lights because (with ASS), because unless what seems like the majority of (extremely inconsiderate) people I end up behind, I'd rather not leave the people behind me with my brake lights burned into their retinas. The alternatives are to have the engine running and put the handbrake on (which 't feel right to me when it's fighting against auto creep), shift it into Neutral or turn ASS off and use the handbrake.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-30-2014, 07:41 PM	#11
Steven1077 Lieutenant Colonel 240 Rep 1,756 Posts Drives: M140i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: London England iTrader: (0)	I tend to just knock it into neutral and use the foot brake to hold it if its only going to be stationary for a very short period of time, then you can just knock it back in drive without pressing the button, I never leave it in gear when I'm stationary
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2014, 03:15 AM	#14
JustChris General 17488 Rep 25,115 Posts Drives: Tesla MYRWD Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Several autos in a row all with auto hold mind you X5 and 5 series and never use Neutral, no issues for me.... __________________ My car made front page of Bimmerpost
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2014, 03:33 AM	#15
BongoBongoLand New Member 0 Rep 23 Posts Drives: E90 330D Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	So leaving it in "D" with the handbrake only on, not the brake pedal, when stopped say at a set of lights (assuming ASS isn't on/activated) is perfectly fine ?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-31-2014, 07:49 AM	#16
MikeMinh Private 23 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 320i GT (F34) Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Devon, UK iTrader: (0)	Had auto trans for 20 odd years in BMWs. I always stop at traffic lights just with the brake, no need to go N or P, least of which handbrake. This also what is commonly and rightly so taught by driving instructors. Handbrake is in my view a silly regulatory left-over from the past, the regulations don't take into account that P mechanically blocks the car movements. Going from N to D means the torque converter needs to build up hydraulic pressure, this is fast, but a short (really short) delay. Noticeable though. ASS these days is seriously cool, I takes a week or two to get used to the total silence with "engine off" at traffic lights, but you will get into it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote