Can you park for a long time in N gear without turning off the engine?
2 Answers
You can park for a long time in N gear without turning off the engine. Here is an introduction about the engine: 1. Introduction: An engine (Engine) is a machine that can convert other forms of energy into mechanical energy. 2. History: The first external combustion engine was invented by R. Stirling in the UK (Scotland) in 1816, which was later improved by Watt into a steam engine. 3. Function: The engine can be used as a power generation device or refer to the entire machine including the power device (such as a gasoline engine or an aircraft engine). Its types include internal combustion engines (such as gasoline engines), external combustion engines (such as Stirling engines and steam engines), gas turbines (used in racing cars), electric motors, etc.
I usually enjoy chatting about car-related topics while driving, and from a safety perspective, let me address your question. When parking for an extended period in N (Neutral) gear without turning off the engine, the biggest concern is the risk of the car rolling away, especially on slopes. In an automatic transmission vehicle, the N gear doesn’t lock the transmission, and relying solely on the handbrake might not be secure. If the foot brake is accidentally released or fails due to overheating, the car could slide backward, leading to serious consequences. A friend of mine once experienced this—he parked in N gear on a slope in a mall parking lot while waiting for a friend without turning off the engine, and the car rolled back, hitting a railing. Fortunately, no major damage occurred. My advice is not to skimp on fuel costs in such situations—for long stops, it’s safer to turn off the engine, firmly engage the handbrake, and shift to P (Park) gear, as automatic cars are designed this way for better safety. Additionally, prolonged idling can cause the engine to overheat and affect its lifespan. It’s more environmentally friendly and reassuring to simply turn off the engine while waiting or running errands.
