can you put automatic car in neutral while driving

[DiFernando]

Yes, you can physically shift an automatic car into neutral while driving, but it is a potentially dangerous action that should only be used in specific emergency situations. Shifting to neutral disconnects the engine from the wheels, causing the vehicle to coast. While this can be useful if your accelerator pedal becomes stuck, it significantly reduces your control over the car. You lose the ability to accelerate to avoid a hazard, and engine braking is eliminated, which can be critical on steep downhill grades. For normal driving, it is safer to remain in Drive (D).

The primary risk involves unintended wear and potential damage to the transmission. Modern automatic transmissions are lubricated by a pump driven by the engine's input shaft. When in neutral at high speeds, the input shaft spins at a different rate than the output shaft connected to the wheels. This can lead to insufficient fluid pressure to properly lubricate internal components, increasing heat and wear over time. A sudden shift back into Drive while the car is moving fast can also cause a harsh engagement, jolting the transmission.

The only recommended time to use neutral while moving is during a genuine emergency, such as a stuck accelerator. The correct procedure is to shift to neutral, which will allow the engine to rev but remove power from the wheels. Then, focus on steering to a safe location and braking to a complete stop. Never turn off the ignition, as this will disable power steering and brakes. For routine driving, like coasting down a hill to save fuel, it's an ineffective and unsafe practice. Modern fuel-injected engines use virtually no fuel when coasting in gear with your foot off the accelerator, making neutral coasting a net loss in control with no benefit.

Scenario	Action	Rationale & Consequence
Stuck Accelerator	Shift to Neutral Immediately	Cuts power to wheels, allowing you to brake and steer to safety. Engine may rev loudly, but this prevents an accident.
Normal Highway Driving	Stay in Drive	Maintains full vehicle control, including acceleration for evasion and engine braking for stability.
Coasting Downhill	Stay in Drive	Engine braking helps control speed without overheating brake pads. Safer and more efficient.
Sudden Shift to Drive at 60 mph	Avoid	Causes a violent transmission engagement, potentially damaging gears and drivetrain components.
Coming to a Stoplight	Shift to Neutral (optional)	Can reduce slight strain on the transmission compared to holding the car with the brake while in Drive.

[KiaraLynn]

As a mechanic, I've seen the aftermath. People do it thinking they're saving gas, but it's hard on the transmission. The fluid pump isn't designed for that. The only time I'd ever tell someone to do it is if the gas pedal gets stuck. Otherwise, just keep it in drive. You have way more control that way, especially if you need to punch it to get out of a tight spot.

[Micah]

From a pure safety standpoint, it's a bad habit. Your ability to accelerate is a key part of avoiding accidents. If you're coasting in neutral and need to quickly merge or get out of the way, you're stuck. You're essentially a passenger in a rolling box until you shift back, which isn't instant. It removes a critical layer of your control over the vehicle for no real gain.

[VivienneFitz]

I tried it once on an empty highway, just out of curiosity. The car just started coasting and got really quiet, which felt weird. The moment I went to put it back in drive, there was a noticeable clunk. It didn't feel smooth or right at all. It taught me that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. I stick to drive now unless I'm completely stopped.