Automatic Transmission -- strange downshifting in neutral. Is it normal?

[broncobase1]

I was in the mountains this past weekend driving in a traffic jam after the ski area closed. During an area of a slight downgrade I put the tranny in neutral and noticed some strange behavior. When I braked to slow down the transmission would make a clunk sound as if it downshifted. At first I thought I was hearing things, but it continued. Is this normal? I have not noticed this in any other vehicle before.

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[swami37]

Is driving in neutral a new technique for going downhill?
I’ve never heard of this before
please enlighten us

 

[Gassyjack]

Hmm. Maybe modern vehicles aren’t programmed to coast in neutral? You probably confused the computer.

 

[broncobase1]

Is driving in neutral a new technique for going downhill?
I’ve never heard of this before
please enlighten us

I knew this would come up on this site! Did I ask when it's appropriate to use neutral? Of course typically it is not a good idea. This was a rare situation of a very slight incline and very slow speed, and in this unique situation coasting was the perfect speed without the constant gear hunting and throttle modulation. I'm also not advising it or saying it's right. If you disagree that's fine but the question is pertaining to the mechanical design of the transmission and why it differs from others.

 

[swami37]

Perhaps you should of gotten a manual trans

 

[broncobase1]

Perhaps you should of gotten a manual trans

This isn't a big deal and I'm not complaining, just curious why this transmission works this way. Neutral typically disconnects the engine from the driveline and there is no more involvement of the transmission, and this is the way it works with other automatics I have driven. It seems strange the tranny is shifting (or whatever that noise is) when in neutral . Overall this is a great transmission, aside from an occasional harsh downshift when braking. Just hope it holds up for the long haul!

 

[Taltyman]

Doing a search I see other ford forums where people were curious about this. Some typical flaming about going to neutral. But some of the items discussed were cruise control, sports mode settings, engine protection, etc. Likely the computer is "helping" you.

 

[HCGxKaLiBeR]

It should be smooth... My wild guess is there could be slight play on the U-Joints or gears in the transferase or transmission. When the rear wheels are slowing down, it clunks the drivetrain because inertia.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

Alike my manual-equipped vehicles, when driving my automatic equipped vehicles and the traffic light far ahead turns red light, I shift the auto into neutral and coast (truck weight induced momentum) up to the still red traffic light. Saves fuel and brake wear.
My Bronco's are the first vehicles I've encountered that require one to push the detent button to shift from drive to neutral..........I suspect Ford doesn't want drivers to shifting their 10-spd autos into neutral. I'd like to know why.

 

[Lcubed]

maybe neutral isn’t really neutral.
see the thread on putting the driveline into towing mode

 

[NaMinesClarence]

I love when people do abnormal things and then ask for solutions to problems that do not exist.

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