Can an automatic transmission car coast in neutral while driving?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car should not coast in neutral while driving. Coasting in neutral is harmful to the automatic transmission because the transmission requires lubrication. When the gear is shifted to neutral (N) while driving, the oil pump cannot supply oil normally for lubrication, which can cause the internal components of the transmission to overheat and lead to damage. Automatic transmission typically refers to the car's automatic gear-shifting mechanism, where the transmission control system automatically selects the appropriate gear based on the engine's speed and load during driving, replacing the driver's subjective judgment and manual gear-shifting operations. Generally, automatic transmission cars have six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P, R, N, D, S, L.
I accidentally shifted to neutral while driving an automatic transmission car in the mountains, and the feeling of losing control scared me into a cold sweat. Never do this while driving, because neutral disconnects the engine from the wheels, eliminating engine braking. This means that when going downhill or around curves, the pressure on the brakes increases dramatically, making it easy to skid or rear-end. Safety is greatly compromised, and reaction times in emergencies are slower. Additionally, automatic transmissions rely on oil pressure for lubrication, and when in neutral, the oil pump runs at a lower speed, leading to overheating and wear of components. Although some people think it saves fuel, modern cars intelligently cut off fuel when coasting in drive mode, so it doesn’t waste fuel. Keeping the car in D (Drive) is the safest option, and it also protects the car and extends its lifespan. Don’t take big risks to save small money.
