Is ok to put a car with automatic trans in gear during normal cold high idle veh has a bit of a kick when put in gear or do you have to wait till idle goes down?

1. Can you leave an automatic car in gear?
2. Can idling damage your transmission?
3. Is it bad to shift gears in an automatic while moving?
4. Does idling warm up transmission?
5. Should you put an automatic in neutral when stopped?
6. Why is idling bad for your car?
7. Why is idling bad for your engine?
8. What is prolonged idling?
9. Is Downshifting bad for manual transmission?
10. Is it bad to drive an automatic like a manual?
11. Should you put your automatic car in neutral at red lights?
12. Can an automatic transmission run too cold?
13. Is it bad to drive with a cold transmission?
14. Can cold weather affect car transmission?

Can you leave an automatic car in gear?

As automatic cars generally have a simple 'drive' mode rather than a range of gears, putting them into gear isn't an option. In such instances, the Highway Code advises putting the car into 'park'.

Can idling damage your transmission?

In short, idling for extended periods of time is hard on your engine, and transmission. ... As a result, your fluid retains more heat, and your transmission isn't lubricating as effectively as it should be. In addition, any time your vehicle is running, it's also wearing out.

Is it bad to shift gears in an automatic while moving?

Shifting too quickly while your car is still in motion can cause significant damage in the transmission because there is a spinning coupling mechanism that can prematurely fail if it becomes worn from the harsh gear change. Always come to a complete stop before shifting into another gear.

Does idling warm up transmission?

There really isn't a reason to warm it up, unless you are in extreme sub-zero temps. Letting the engine idle for a couple minutes should do the trick (that is even a hot debate). If you are experiencing trouble shifting when the trans is cold, it could be an indication of upcoming issues, so get it checked out.

Should you put an automatic in neutral when stopped?

In older cars, the automatic transmission doesn't cut fuel to the engine when you are stopped in drive which means that switching to neutral can also save you some fuel. Plus, lifting your foot by accident can cause an accident, so switching to neutral when stopped can give your tired feet a short-lived rest!

Why is idling bad for your car?

You can waste almost a gallon of gas if you leave your car idling for more than an hour. ... Over time, idling can cause your head gasket, spark plugs, or cylinder rings to deteriorate and stop working. Drains car battery. Idling does not allow your battery to charge and causes it to strain.

Why is idling bad for your engine?

Ten seconds of idling can burn more fuel than turning off and restarting the engine. Plus, excessive idling can damage your engine's components, including spark plugs, cylinders and exhaust systems. ... This is the gunk that can foul your sparkplugs and muck up your exhaust systems.

What is prolonged idling?

Extended idling is a distinct emission process defined as the overnight idling of long-haul trucks with sleeper cabs at truck stops and other locations during federally required downtime. During such idling periods, these engines experience unusual loads (televisions, air conditioning, fans, etc.)

Is Downshifting bad for manual transmission?

However, downshifting puts added strain on the engine and transmission. These parts are far more costly to replace than the brake system. ... Unless you're on a hill where constant braking would be impractical, you should probably avoid downshifting.

Is it bad to drive an automatic like a manual?

But the good news is that it doesn't do any harm. Unlike a manual transmission, which forces you to use up a little bit of your clutch disk every time you shift, an automatic transmission uses a fluid to transmit power from the engine to the driveshaft. ... That's not good for the engine or the transmission.

Should you put your automatic car in neutral at red lights?

Never put your vehicle in neutral at traffic lights

You will be shifting gears every time to meet a stop light, subjecting them to unnecessary wear. You may have to replace them sooner than you thought. Avoid all this by letting the brakes do their job: leave the engine in drive and step on the brakes at the stoplight.

Can an automatic transmission run too cold?

An automatic trans is designed to work at a certain temperature. Heat is a huge cause of transmission failures but running too cool is bad also.

Is it bad to drive with a cold transmission?

Shifting problems: When it's cold, the transmission will shift harder and shift points can become delayed which can lead to yet harder shifting. These hard shifts can create increased pressure on numerous parts which increase the risk of failure at a later point.

Can cold weather affect car transmission?

Cold weather causes the parts of the transmission to contract and sometimes the gears can freeze which leads to slipping. Cold temperatures cause the fluid to thicken which means it can't move around as freely to do its job.