2.5 Auto diesel....idling in "D" for long periods

[dunslair]

Any advantage over just sitting in P ..... no pun intended ....honest.

[The Great Pretender]

I don't see any advantage in idling in D. With the brakes on the only difference between D and N is the front clutch is applied but nothing else is working/turning. In fact, idling in N will probably warm up the oil faster as the torque convertor is running/slipping a little faster.

Sitting in D at the lights does no harm whatsoever

Interesting, I know very little about auto boxes. When stopped in D mine will creep, is this normal for a Bongo?
Also as I live within a minute from the motorway it can take about 6/7 miles before lockup.
Works great when travelling into town from cold as it is going up n down through the gears. The cooling system gets up to temp sooner then to.

[The Great Pretender]

Any advantage over just sitting in P ..... no pun intended ....honest.

Keep clear of yellow snow.....................

[kawasaki kid]

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very good at making yellow snow.

[The Great Pretender]

My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is very good at making yellow snow.

Didnt King Charles make blue snow.............?

[kawasaki kid]

Not my little begger.

[dandywarhol]

I don't see any advantage in idling in D. With the brakes on the only difference between D and N is the front clutch is applied but nothing else is working/turning. In fact, idling in N will probably warm up the oil faster as the torque convertor is running/slipping a little faster.

Sitting in D at the lights does no harm whatsoever

Interesting, I know very little about auto boxes. When stopped in D mine will creep, is this normal for a Bongo?
Also as I live within a minute from the motorway it can take about 6/7 miles before lockup.
Works great when travelling into town from cold as it is going up n down through the gears. The cooling system gets up to temp sooner then to.

Sounds just right TGP - some creep is normal from the torque convertor

[dandywarhol]

Any advantage over just sitting in P ..... no pun intended ....honest.

Nope.

[mikeonb4c]

Any advantage over just sitting in P ..... no pun intended ....honest.

Nope.

Yup

[dandywarhol]

Any advantage over just sitting in P ..... no pun intended ....honest.

Nope.

Yup

I'll reserve judgement until you're finished your exhaustive trials

[bobngo]

supreme being , i think it was king george who peed blue ,not king charles

[madmile]

I am no mechanical expert, but have always gone on the basis that sitting at lights etc in D with foot brake applied was never a problem (only tend to use hanbrake for parking or very steep hill starts). But I would never leave an auto idling in D for the purposes of warming up, and certainly not if I wasnt sat in the drivers seat. If it crept fowrard due to handbrake not being 100% on it could cause and accident, or you could accidentally hit the throttle as you get in and even run yourself over .

[The Great Pretender]

supreme being , i think it was king george who peed blue ,not king charles

Knew that really, was just testing.

[mikeonb4c]

I am no mechanical expert, but have always gone on the basis that sitting at lights etc in D with foot brake applied was never a problem (only tend to use hanbrake for parking or very steep hill starts). But I would never leave an auto idling in D for the purposes of warming up, and certainly not if I wasnt sat in the drivers seat. If it crept fowrard due to handbrake not being 100% on it could cause and accident, or you could accidentally hit the throttle as you get in and even run yourself over .

I respect that view, and I'm certainly not trying to promote the practice (and this is not my thread of course!). But chocked up, on my drive, with handrake hold checked also before leaving vehicle unattended, with no small children in our house, etc. etc. I think reasonable precaution has been taken and the risk/benefit balance is favourable (much as a circular saw is dangerous but useful, and acceptable as a risk provided a suitable guard is fitted and its not left around near children etc.).

Thinking about it laterally, you could apply a similar case for saying that sitting in 'D' in traffic is a bad practice, as it is too easy to lose concentration and let the car slip into the one in front (and I believe I've read of this happening). The key I think, in each case, is to exercise 'due care and attention'.

[Alacrity]

In my book leaving any automatic vehicle unattended in gear is to be avoided & the advantages gained are questionable. Dandywarhol has explained perfectly the difference between P,N & D. Personally I tend to put my automatics (especially my diesel Bongo as it idles smoother) into N when standing for some time & stick the handbrake on as this avoids irritating other motorists behind with brake lights permamently on - worse at night of course.