Can an automatic transmission vehicle be started in neutral gear?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission vehicle can be started in neutral gear. Here are the relevant details: 1. Benefits: Starting an automatic car in neutral gear is to avoid the so-called backlash caused by shifting from P to D through R gear, which is designed to protect the transmission. 2. Neutral start protection: Automatic transmission models must be in N or P gear and the brake pedal must be depressed to start. This feature is called neutral start protection, and the main purpose of this design is for safety. 3. Manual characteristics: Most manual transmission models can only be started when the gearbox is in neutral, and some models also require the clutch pedal to be depressed to start.
As someone who frequently helps friends with car repairs, I can say that starting the engine in neutral is a major taboo for automatic transmission vehicles. Many people think it's no big deal to start the car in neutral, but it's actually quite dangerous. When an automatic transmission is in N (neutral) gear, there's no locking mechanism, and the sudden engine start could cause the vehicle to slide unexpectedly, potentially hitting obstacles or pedestrians. More importantly, the transmission experiences uneven stress in this state, which can lead to premature wear of internal gears and clutch plates over time—repairs for these issues can be quite troublesome. Therefore, I always recommend ensuring the gear is in P (Park) before starting the engine, as this completely immobilizes the vehicle, ensuring safety and reliability. Developing this habit can save a lot on repair costs and prevent accidents. Remember, car manuals typically emphasize this point—don't risk major losses for minor conveniences (Note: Avoid exclamatory tones here, use declarative statements).
