Automatic Transmission Question
 

I have a 2006 F150 Supercrew truck I primarily use for the farm. We also take it on family trips since it is very comfortable. I put very few miles on it because the MPG is, at best 17.:eek:

I commute in my old Tacoma.

Yesterday I had to make a run to pick up a load of horse feed. Driving home (about a 20 mile run) I started to put the truck in neutral going down hills to take advantage of the enertia.

Using this technique, the difference was at least two MPG has registered on the trucks dash display. Wow.

My question is: Am I doing any damage to the trucks transmission moving in and out of drive? I can find nothing in the owners manual that addresses this issue.

Any advice is appreciated.

I have done likewise, but have heard that it's a no-no. I don't know why. My 2001 chevy shuts off fuel injectors when coasting to use less gas.

My most extreme example was on Mt. Rainier with my old 912E. Went from the Paradise parking lot all the way to the Kautz Creek mud flow with the engine off. That's 15 miles or so.

Only damage I could see is if the rear output shaft section would not be getting lubrication being driven from the rear. Insuficient experience in that area to know.
Jim

It used to be against the law to 'freewheel' in many areas, as back in the day, brakes were not the greatest and engine braking figured more in the slowing down dept.
If you have a manual tranny, I don't suspect there would be much of a problem. Autos, as mentioned, require their pump to be driven for proper lubrication. I have seen auto transmissions destroyed by being towed without being isolated from the turning wheeld.

Les

As long as the truck is still running, it won't hurt anything. When the engine is running, the pump is pumping, and lubing everything.

Good. I'll do a screen of a F150 site as well. Thanks.

It just makes too much sense,