This can be answered as either vanagon specific, or more generally as an Auto Tranny question:

Is there any reason to, or not to, put an auto tranny into neutral when stopped at a stop light?� I mean making a habit of it.� 

When driving an auto tranny car, I have a tendency to slip the tranny into neutral when the vehicle slows to about 5 mph, and then wait for the light to turn green and slip it into Drive.� In part, I do this to avoid a jerky stop.

What are the pros and/or cons of this habit?�� Thanks.� Malcolm