# Is it possible to damage an automatic transmission/engine by letting off the gas quickly **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** scion, transmissions, tc, engines, toyota\ **Created:** [March 29, 2020, 6:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033 "2020-03-29T06:39:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RPOLICH63\_165892](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/rpolich63_165892/32/20164_2.png) [@RPOLICH63\_165892](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RPOLICH63_165892)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 6:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/1 "2020-03-29T06:39:28Z")
I have a 2008 Scion tC and I am just curious, is it bad for your automatic transmission or engine by letting off of the gas quickly, as in just removing your foot from the pedal completely. This is what I always do, and im now noticing it kinda jolts when I do this, is this a habit I need to drop, or is it okay to do? ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/2 "2020-03-29T07:49:22Z")
No it is not. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 9:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/3 "2020-03-29T09:32:20Z")
The jolt may be telling you something. Maybe there is an engine mount that needs to be replaced. Or maybe your transmssion is overdue for a fluid change. ---
**Author:** ![RPOLICH63\_165892](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/rpolich63_165892/32/20164_2.png) [@RPOLICH63\_165892](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RPOLICH63_165892)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 9:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/4 "2020-03-29T09:36:22Z")
Its not the transmission fluid, Its still pink and not smelling burnt at all, changed about 10k ago along with the filter and it shifts perfectly smooth, and its not so much of like the engine isnt sitting right and moving, its kinda like when the car downshifts, just that little spot in between gears. I apologize, its pretty hard to explain exactly what it feels like without actually feeling it. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 9:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/5 "2020-03-29T09:48:22Z")
If this is a new feeling, that means something changed and may need service. If this has always been there, it is just a quirk of the car. You aren’t damaging anything. ---
**Author:** ![RPOLICH63\_165892](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/rpolich63_165892/32/20164_2.png) [@RPOLICH63\_165892](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RPOLICH63_165892)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/6 "2020-03-29T09:49:33Z")
Ok, thank you for your help! ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/7 "2020-03-29T12:47:42Z")
> [@RPOLICH63\_165892](#): > > I have a 2008 Scion tC and I am just curious, is it bad for your automatic transmission or engine by letting off of the gas quickly, as in just removing your foot from the pedal completely. This is what I always do, and im now noticing it kinda jolts when I do this, is this a habit I need to drop, or is it okay to do? Curious… Why do you do that? Perhaps you should drop that habit and drive like a normal driver. What other quirks are part of your driving skills? **Curiouser… Were you ever employed by _Joie Chitwood and the Thrill Drivers_?** **Oh, and has your car ever gone upside-down?** _ **CSA** _ 🌴 🕶 🌴 ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/8 "2020-03-29T13:54:22Z")
Bad motor mounts don’t usually cause the engine to be visibly crooked. They do cause what you’re experiencing, if it’s a new problem. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/9 "2020-03-29T14:05:15Z")
> [@common\_sense\_answer](#): > > Curious… Why do you do that? I do that quite often, light turns yellow, exit ramp you need to slow down on etc. I do not see a problem. Get it checked out for clunk cause. ---
**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/10 "2020-03-29T14:24:17Z")
What you’re feeling is likely a " lift throttle " upshift. The car was probably about to upshift when you released the pedal. The release triggered the shift. Won’t hurt anything. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/11 "2020-03-29T14:26:53Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > I do that quite often, light turns yellow, exit ramp you need to slow down on etc. I understand that, to a degree. > [@RPOLICH63\_165892](#): > > … letting off of the gas quickly, as in just removing your foot from the pedal completely. This is what I always do … Having had aviation experience, I have adopted piloting skills in my driving. I try and not have to jerk (or “horse”) any controls or make sudden changes in _anything_, including accelerator pedals and HVAC controls. That was instilled in me by my FAA certified flight instructors. I try and maintain an even strain and not frighten passengers in the vehicle, make them anxious, or make myself appear as a rookie driver. Exceptions would be emergency situations, which I almost never have because of my driving style. I always try and maintain adequate space ahead of my vehicle, don’t tailgate, and maintain a space even when stopped in traffic. When a light turns green I can safely begin moving as soon as the vehicle ahead does. Jerky, white knuckle driving, does not appeal to me. I wonder if these techniques could be one reason I’m almost never making quick maneuvers, rapid stops, or have to work on my vehicles? I’m thinking, “yes”. _ **CSA** _ 🌴 🕶 🌴 ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 2:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/12 "2020-03-29T14:44:01Z")
> [@common\_sense\_answer](#): > > > [@RPOLICH63\_165892](#): > > > > I have a 2008 Scion tC and I am just curious, is it bad for your automatic transmission or engine by letting off of the gas quickly, as in just removing your foot from the pedal completely. This is what I always do, and im now noticing it kinda jolts when I do this, is this a habit I need to drop, or is it okay to do? > > Curious… Why do you do that? > Perhaps you should drop that habit and drive like a normal driver. What other quirks are part of your driving skills? > > **Curiouser… Were you ever employed by _Joie Chitwood and the Thrill Drivers_?** > **Oh, and has your car ever gone upside-down?** > _ **CSA** _ > 🌴 🕶 🌴 I lift my foot off the gas every time I slow down or brake. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/13 "2020-03-29T15:06:20Z")
> [@NYBo](#): > > I lift my foot off the gas every time I slow down or brake. So do I, but it is not done… > [@RPOLICH63\_165892](#): > > … by letting off of the gas quickly, as in just removing your foot from the pedal completely. This is what I always do, and im now noticing it kinda jolts when I do this… The O.P. is describing this a sudden movement and I imagine this as being similar to one letting their foot just slide off the side of the pedal and having it pop up. I guess I anticipate most stops. Plus the Grand Prix is running at a high idle while going down the road, most of the time. When a foot is smoothly removed from the pedal there is no sudden deceleration or any jerking. Could it be that little _2008 Scion tC_ (I’m not sure what one of those is. ??) is revving quite a bit higher while cruising for some darn reason? _ **CSA** _ 🌴 🕶 🌴 ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/14 "2020-03-29T16:03:06Z")
I almost always lift my foot off the gas completely with no ill effects. However, I don’t tend to do this in the middle of hard acceleration when the transmission is in lower than top gear. That would cause the transmission to upshift, possibly with a clunk, as cited by @old_mopar_guy above. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/15 "2020-03-29T19:21:54Z")
I brake with my right foot, so I always take my foot completely off the gas pedal. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/16 "2020-03-29T20:12:40Z")
I believe most modern engines have the throttle dampened so it won’t snap shut suddenly. That facilitates emission control by avoiding sudden transients in air/fuel ratio. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-it-possible-to-damage-an-automatic-transmission-engine-by-letting-off-the-gas-quickly/162033/17 "2020-03-29T20:18:17Z")
> [@circuitsmith](#): > > I believe most modern engines have the throttle dampened so it won’t snap shut suddenly. > That facilitates emission control by avoiding sudden transients in air/fuel ratio. Perhaps O.P. has a problem with the dampening aspect of the throttle? _ **CSA** _ 🌴 🕶 🌴