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CaptainLarry

Serious Damage to Transmission

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Anyone know the background behind this scary warning form the owner's manual?

 

We often coast about 2 miles on our way home - Mostly just for fun.  Never had a problem in the Tundra.  Is this real or just litigious safety nonsense?

 

"Except in an emergency, do not shift to the N (Neutral) position while driving.  Coasting with the transmission in the N (Neutral) position may cause serious damage to the transmission."

 

Really!

 

 

 

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Have to admit I never read the manual enough to see that warning!  That is pretty crazy, I have no idea why it would damage anything.  I would guess it is so you dont try to go into park or reverse when shifting into neutral but the ECU should block the transmission from actually shifting into R or P.  

 

Two miles is a long way to coast!  Charlotte is pretty flat too, just some rolling hills like around me.  Asheville has some long hills!  

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Just make sure you wipe the shift lever clean in case Nissan does a postmortem forensic analysis.

 

But why would you do this? What is the difference between idle rpm and taking your foot off the gas in overdrive? And if there is a significant difference, what do you gain?

 

This is not necessarily related to this but I upshifted manual mode thinking I was in 3rd. I was in 4th and it shifted to 5th. I didn't even know it was there.

Edited by radin2son

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I don't know about the potential for damage from coasting in neutral, but you're probably not saving fuel if that's your motivation. The fuel injectors are often shut off in a coasting situation - meaning zero fuel flow. In neutral there is enough flow to idle the engine.

Just a thought...

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Interesting chatter here, but you guys are off topic.  No, really I feel like I'm among kindred spirits.

 

These are good questions about the whys.  Mostly coasting in neutral is a hold over from my standard transmission habits.  I guess I just like to be in control.  I want to engage and disengage on my own terms.  It has also become a little game the kids like.  The 2 mile coast does get quite slow, but we don't hold up other drivers.  And the route takes us right into the garage.  ASD Dad, The land all slopes to the great river, hence the gentle hill.

 

Now how about my question - What's up with this damage threat?

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I don't think you'll damage the transmission as long as the engine is still running. The engine-driven fluid pump should still be lubricating the transmission.

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