Is my transmission still OK?

[NotYourDay]

I know it sounds like its not gas saving related, but I was going down a large hill and had it in Neutral, and I (not thinking) shifted it into reverse instead of drive going about 25-30 or so. Needless to say, the car stalled. I noticed that the car was having a small problem with a small (4 inch) circle of oil every day underneath my car. Could this have been from me doing that or what? The oil started about a week after this incident, and it is going to the mechanic this friday.

If it matters it is a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix sedan.

Thanks in advanced for any help!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Although shifting to Reverse at speed isn't recommended, the torque converter should have prevented any serious damage to the car. Mythbusters shifted a crown vic into Reverse at 50 MPH, and did no damage to the vehicle.

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[GasSavers_JoeBob]

If it is oil, it is probably unrelated. If it is transmission fluid, it is most likely (but I won't guarantee it) unrelated. But that's just a guess, based on my experience, and what I know about cars is only exceeded by what I don't know.

FWIW, I once did that to a Corvair. Didn't seem to hurt it at all.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Now that I think about it some friends of mine did it in a Ford Fairmont with no damage as well.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Let us know what the mechanic says.

What color is the oil? To tell if it's trans or motor oil. I'm thinking the oil leak is unrelated. Pull the trans dipstick out & check the color & smell to see if it has a burnt odor. While running normally, does the car still shift like it did before the mishap?

Dave

[Dave's Civic Duty]

With the above clip, Ford has safteys built into the tranny. I remember trying to do a neutral drop in a 68 Ford Falcon, won't engage until the RPM's drop almost to nothing. The GM guys in their 350 turbo hydromatics were able to do them all day until they toasted the trans.

Dave

[Jay2TheRescue]

When I was 16 I loved doing Neutral drops in my 1980 Bonneville Safari wagon with a big block V-8 (and a TH 350 tranny) Man that was a fun car to drive. I wish I still had it.

[ben98gs]

While not completely the same, it is similar... My 1997 Grand Prix GTP I once had in D (3rd gear) doing about 110 mph and accidentally dropped it too early down into second (which redlined at 95 mph) to engine brake and it just locked up the front wheels until the car slowed enough that it should actually have been in 2nd. Transmission was fine still afterward.

[NotYourDay]

That makes me feel alot better, and its a dark green oil, whatever that means. and how does the GTP get to 110 in 3rd? I hit 110 and I got the electronic governor kicking in slowing me back down to 1500 RPM which consequently slowed me down at a rapid pace as it was going strong at 4k rpm to get me up there.

[theholycow]

The only green fluid I can think of is antifreeze/coolant, and your 2000 Pontiac is supposed to have orange stuff (though many replace it with green).