Can an automatic car be shifted into neutral while driving?
3 Answers
Automatic cars should not be shifted into neutral while driving. Here are the reasons: 1. Shifting an automatic car into neutral while driving will reduce the vehicle's braking force, which can easily lead to rear-end collisions. When the car is coasting in neutral, the connection between the engine and the drive wheels is lost, and the car moves forward solely by inertia. In emergency situations requiring braking, all braking force must be provided by the brakes alone. When coasting in gear, the engine itself provides some braking effect, which, combined with the brakes, shortens the braking distance. Additionally, coasting in neutral can easily cause the engine to stall, leading to failure of the brake booster and reduced braking performance. 2. Shifting into neutral does not save fuel and can sometimes even consume more fuel, which is related to the working principle of electronic fuel injection engines. Electronic fuel injection engines can determine the amount of fuel injection based on the computer program. When coasting in gear, if the driver releases the accelerator, the computer will put the car into coasting mode, during which the engine does not inject fuel for a long period. However, if coasting in neutral, the computer will put the car into idle mode, and the engine continues to inject fuel. This is why coasting in neutral sometimes consumes more fuel.
Shifting to neutral while driving? Personally, I think this needs to be handled with caution. Automatic transmissions are designed with power transmission during movement in mind. Once you shift to N (neutral), the transmission disengages, breaking the connection between the engine and the wheels. This can cause sudden fluctuations in engine RPM, and you might lose engine braking—for example, when going downhill, relying solely on brakes to slow down puts extra load on the braking system, increasing the risk of overheating and failure. Additionally, oil pump lubrication may not be sufficient, accelerating wear on internal transmission components, which can lead to long-term damage. It’s fine to shift to neutral and engage the handbrake when briefly stopped at a red light, but never do it while moving. Some people believe shifting to neutral saves fuel, but modern cars are actually more efficient in D (drive), and shifting to neutral may waste more fuel. Safe driving is the priority—doing this frequently at high speeds carries significant hidden risks.
Shifting to Neutral While Driving an Automatic Car? I've seen many people do this, but it's really not recommended. The transmission contains oil pumps and gears, and shifting to N while driving deprives them of lubrication, leading to overheating and even component failure, which can be costly to repair. Additionally, on downhill slopes, you lose engine braking, relying solely on brakes increases the risk of losing control and accidents. For brief stops like at traffic lights, shifting to N is fine, but staying in D while moving is safer. Don’t believe the myth that neutral saves fuel—it actually consumes more due to engine idling. From my experience, vehicle manuals advise against shifting while driving—trust the professionals.
