Can an Automatic Transmission Car Be Put in Neutral?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars should not be put in neutral, as coasting in neutral can damage the automatic transmission. There are three common misconceptions about using automatic transmissions: 1. Keeping the car in D (Drive) gear during prolonged stops: This forcibly prevents forward movement, causing the transmission fluid temperature to rise. Automatic transmission cars usually have slight forward movement; if the brake pedal is held down for a long time, it forcibly stops this movement, increasing the transmission fluid temperature and accelerating fluid degradation, especially when the air conditioning is on and the engine is idling at a higher speed. 2. Shifting to N (Neutral) gear while coasting at high speeds or downhill: This can potentially burn out the transmission, as the output shaft rotates at high speed while the engine idles, leading to insufficient oil supply from the transmission pump and poor lubrication. 3. Starting the engine in gears other than P (Park) or N (Neutral): This may damage the transmission's neutral start switch. Automatic transmissions are equipped with a neutral start switch, ensuring the engine can only be started in P or N gear to prevent sudden unintended movement if started in other gears.
I have been driving automatic transmission cars for over ten years and often encounter situations where I need to shift into neutral. Yes, automatic transmission cars have an N gear, which is neutral. For example, when getting a car wash, workers may ask me to shift into neutral to facilitate towing; or when waiting at a red light for a long time, I prefer to shift into neutral and engage the handbrake, so the transmission isn’t under constant stress, which can extend the lifespan of its components. However, you should never coast in neutral while driving. Many people think it saves fuel, but in reality, modern cars have engine control systems, and coasting in neutral actually consumes more fuel and can lead to brake failure, which is dangerous. Automatic transmissions are designed differently from manual ones, and shifting into neutral while driving can cause the wheels to lose traction, leading to accidents. So, only use neutral when safely parked.
