Can Automatic Transmission Cars Coast in Neutral?
2 Answers
Automatic transmission cars should not coast in neutral as it can be harmful to the automatic transmission. Here are the reasons why coasting in neutral is not advisable: 1. The automatic transmission requires lubrication, and when the gear is shifted to N while driving, the oil pump cannot supply oil properly for lubrication, causing the internal components of the transmission to overheat and potentially leading to damage. 2. Coasting in neutral is extremely harmful to the automatic transmission. Below is additional information: 1. As the name suggests, an automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. 2. Automatic transmissions still have corresponding gears. Whether manual or automatic, more gears generally lead to better fuel efficiency. 3. For short stops, such as at a brief traffic light, simply pressing the brake is sufficient. 4. If the stop lasts longer than 2 minutes, it is advisable to shift to N gear to protect the transmission and prevent the transmission oil from overheating.
Having driven automatic transmissions for over a decade, I sincerely advise against coasting in neutral. Automatic and manual transmissions have completely different structures. When in neutral, the oil pump speed can't keep up, leading to poorer lubrication and cooling - those precision planetary gears and solenoid valves all operate submerged in oil. I've personally witnessed cases where coasting just 10+ km on highways in N gear caused clutch plates to burn out as transmission temperatures skyrocket. Manufacturer manuals explicitly prohibit neutral coasting, and this isn't just scare tactics. If you really want to save fuel, it's more practical to anticipate road conditions early and control speed with throttle input.