First of all, I'm really glad I finally found a good, up to date Scion forum. After two or three days of poring over a lot of the stickied pages and build threads, I'm really excited to start modifying my '12 SM tC. I peeled off the A pillar vinyl this morning, I wouldn't have even known that was possible without this forum!
So now onto my stupid question...my tC is AT, a lot if times when I'm driving and approaching a red light, I put it in neutral and coast a lot smoother than I would in drive. When I shift back into drive, sometimes I'm on the roll and there's a slight shudder as it shifts. If I give just a touch of throttle as I put it back in drive its much smoother. I'm just wondering if this is something that could be harming my transmission or in any way reducing its lifespan. When I make an effort to drive efficiently, I can get 30+ mpg city, so there's obviously an incentive to do this. Thanks guys, sorry if this is a noon question, I have so much more to learn about my car.

 

Yes it harms your engine, your tc is an auto so just drive it like an auto. unless its got a flappy paddle gearbox. which it doesnt. the slight shutter isn't healthy for your engine. autos are so much more complex than manuals. Just dont get a lead foot, and keep up with maintenance with it and it'll have good mpg.

 

Well 3 things,

1) Doing this can be dangerous if you are in an emergency situation and needed the gas for some reason, you may just rev the car opposed to driving out of the way of something etc.

2)Engine breaking helps reduce wear on your brakes. Doing this puts a lot more wear on your brakes.

3)The car isn't a manual, and they don't ever really act like manual's It's a torque converter. So the car is designed to start, stop and go all with the aid of the torque converter. When you continually dis-engage and re-engage the clutch pack it's not good for it. The torque converter will do this all for you, and keep you headache free for a long time =)

 

Ok thank you guys, I guess I'll just keep both hands on the wheel from now on.