Well, having it in gear means that the fluid in the torque converter
is being agitated, producing more heat and using more gas, assuming
that the idle speed controller compensates for the drag.
   On the other hand putting it in neutral means shifting back into
gear when the time comes.  This shift involves a sudden torque on many
parts and wear of the clutch bands, etc.
   You get to decide which you think is worse.  Auto companies
apparently think you should just leave it in gear.
    I don't understand about the "jerky stop".

Larry A.

On Fri, Jul 22, 2011 at 4:50 PM, Malcolm Stebbins <mwstebbins@yahoo.com> wrote:
> This can be answered as either vanagon specific, or more generally as an Auto Tranny question:
>
> Is there any reason to, or not to, put an auto tranny into neutral when stopped at a stop light?� I mean making a habit of it.
>
> When driving an auto tranny car, I have a tendency to slip the tranny into neutral when the vehicle slows to about 5 mph, and then wait for the light to turn green and slip it into Drive.� In part, I do this to avoid a jerky stop.
>
>
> What are the pros and/or cons of this habit?�� Thanks.� Malcolm
>
>