Questions about EOC and automatic transmissions
 

Hello,
I drive a 1996 Nissan Maxima, which has a 3 speed automatic transmission with overdrive. I have heard that you cannot tow a vehicle that has an automatic transmission without first removing the drive shaft (RWD) or front axles (FWD) because there are parts in the transmission spinning with no pump lubercating them with transmission fluid. The pump is not running without the engine running, but I would assume it takes a while for the transmission parts to drip dry of transmission fluid. My question is, would it be okay for me to practice engine off coasting for fairly short distances?

Again, My car is a 1996 Nissan Maxima
My transmission is a Jatco RE4F04A Automatic with overdrive and lockup torque converter.

I asked that question on the eng-tips forum, got a reply stating how quickly the output shaft bearings/axle was spinning, responded with what you said, that the bearings wouldn't go bone dry instantly, and was banned, so meh? I wouldn't do it unless I had no problem dropping and rebuilding/replacing the trans.

Welcome to GasSavers: The question you ask is a tricky one. The issue is that almost all automatic transmissions operate off of a pump which is driven from the front of the transmission and therefor the motor. Consequently when you are coasting in neutral, with the engine off, the pump is not turning and their is no oil pressure.

However, if you are in neutral, then the gears of the transmission are not engaged and their isn't any real loading on the transmission. I believe their may be some people on here who have tried doing EOC with an Automatic. I haven't heard of anyone destroying their transmissions, yet. However, I wouldn't be doing it. The gains from EOC are not great enough, at least for me, to risk mechanically wrecking the transmission.

On the other hand, if you wrecked it, then you could get a manual transmission installed, so you could EOC without killing the transmission.

Personally, I wouldn't.

Okay, I have also considered installing a manual 5 speed, which was an option when this car was originally built, however, I have not yet successfully found any yet, nor have I even seen any 4th gen Maximas with a five speed, but supposedly they exist. Any suggestions on finding a manual trans?

Check car-part.com.

I ave been EOC'ing for quite a while with an auto. No transmission damage yet, but I wouldn't try towing the car for an extended distance.

Thanks repete86, I was hoping to hear from someone else with an automatic transmission who has been EOCing. I always heard you could not tow, but I thought short distances were not a problem.

It depends on the tranny. Look in the owners manual. If it can take any towing on the drive axels then your ok.

I fas/eoc our 05 Accord I4, 5AT when I drive it. I try to stay away from it since it has a worthless AT in it. Plus its the wifes car. So I know it has coodys. :)

psy

i eoc from time to time but mostly just put it into N and coast and seen great gains from doing that. if i see a good chance i will take it but it is very short times like up to a long light.

Eoc
 

I've been EOC'ing a '98 Integra for about 20-someK miles or about a year -- it so far has yielded the biggest increase in FE. It has about 130K on the original tranny -- and so far, so good...

RH77

Currently EOCing on an automatic trans Geo Metro. I would assume for short distances it would be fine. Towing on the otherhand often entails long distances, so that would not be apropriate.

Besides, what's the worst that will happen? You'll just be forced to do something you wanted to do all along, which is put in a manual transmission. I'd say you could probably find one at a junkyard or something. For me (me dad also drives this car a lot too and he EOCs) there are two 5 speed manual transmissions awaiting, one to go in this car when the AT goes. The AT has a tendency to get stuck between gears and then requires manual shifting, so might as well run it into the ground

Cant find Manual
 

That's the problem in the first place, even though 1996 nissan maximas exist with a 5 speed, I cant find one anywhere. Besides, I just found out that the EPA MPG rating on the automatic version of this car is higher due to a higher gear ratio, so if my transmission can handle it, I might be better off with it anyway. Either way, I'll eventually find out, I guess.

I think the key is about towing, since you can't tow I don't think you shoudl EOC.

Try finding a transmission to do the swap. It's possible! Or find another car.

You can still get very good gas mileage with the Maxima without EOCing. If the manual says no flat towing I wouldn't EOC.

I just read the towing section in the manual. It says that if you must tow on all four wheels, it is possible by putting the transmission in N, but do not tow backwards and do not exceed 40 miles.