Re: IML: AT at stop: N or P, not D ?

[Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The 1967 operator's manual says:

"N" NEUTRAL: Use when car is standing at idle for prolonged period with
engine running. Engine can be started in this range.

I don't know why you wouldn't use Park for this, as using Neutral requires
you to keep the brakes applied for the whole time. If the brakes are hot,
applying them can warp the rotors (whereas the parking brake only operates
on the rear drums).

But that's what it says. Up to you to figure out what a "prolonged period"
is, I suppose. I imagine more than a minute or so, but then I'd be tempted
to shut the engine down after that long.

Holding the car from rolling backward with the gas pedal is indeed a bad
practice and can burn out the transmission, but downshifting for compression
braking ("engine braking") while going downhill is perfectly OK if
conditions call for it; it causes not much more stress than hard
acceleration does. But I'd do that only on a long downhill grade to keep the
brakes from overheating, or in low-traction situations (i.e., snow) to keep
excess speed from accumulating without needing to apply the brakes. BY the
way, I'd try to do this near the top of the hill rather than in the middle.
You want to limit the car's speed more than use the transmission to slow the
car down.

The same '67 manual says to use positions "2" and "1" for engine braking, by
the way.

-- 
Chris in LA
67 Crown
78 NYB Salon




On 7/11/05 10:28 PM, RandalPark@xxxxxxx at RandalPark@xxxxxxx wrote:

> I believe that it is says this in the owners manual for the 1965 Imperial, or
> possibly the '68 version. The statement was that if the car is going to idle
> for longer than a minute or two, it should be moved to Neutral from Park.
> Running in Park does put more stress on parts than Neutral.
> 
> I do not remember reading in any of the factory literature that the selector
> should be moved to Neutral from Drive at stop lights. If I am waiting for a
> long train, I will move the selector to Neutral, or even shut the car off. It
> is recommended that the car be shut off if you are sitting in a tunnel for a
> really long time. In regular stop and go driving or at traffic signals I think
> it is advisible to leave the car in Drive. It seems to me that the less that I
> have to play with the gear selector the longer it will last. This part of my
> '65 and my '68 Imperials doesn't seem to be one of the most long lasting
> designs, although during my ownership they have not really deteriorated any
> further.
> 
> I have heard of some people using the gas to hold the car on a steep hill at a
> red light, instead of using the brake. I believe that this can overheat the
> transmission. Likewise, I also do not think it is a great idea to frequently
> shift the car into a lower gear to slow down, but rather only when going down
> a steep road for an extended period, or when otherwise absolutely necessary.
> 
> Paul W.




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