Can an Automatic Transmission Car Be Put in Neutral?

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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.