From: Ancient-of-Days@Heaven.Net   
      
   I've been shifting the automatic into neutral at stoplights for years and   
   turning off the engine on long lights (those I know are a couple of minutes)   
   where I do that simply for fuel efficiency.   
      
   I've never had a transmission repair (multiple vehicles) but I've also never   
   kept a vehicle for more than 200K miles or so (so I wouldn't know if the   
   tranny or engine died thereafter).   
      
   I just wonder if there is any known clear cut detrimental effect on either   
   the engine or the transmission from doing this. I don't want to talk about   
   legal aspects as I know them inside & out as does everyone).   
      
   I also can "assume" (yes, I know) that there's "wear" on the engine and/or   
   transmission from more cycles to the engine and more shifting on the   
   transmission, but is there a DIRECT negative effect on either?   
      
   Only someone who knows of a DIRECT effect other than general wear and tear   
   (which we all know about) would be able to answer this question I think.   
      
   I ask not because I'm going to ever change my habits as it works for me,   
   but to simply learn if there is any DIRECT effect on wear you know of.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)