Can You Shift from D to N While Driving an Automatic Transmission Car?

[StJake]

It is not advisable to shift from D (Drive) to N (Neutral) while driving an automatic transmission car. If you shift the gear from D to N while the vehicle is in motion, the rapidly rotating passive components will not receive sufficient lubrication, leading to increased temperature inside the transmission and potential damage. Parking Steps: Select a parking spot and move your right foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal. Apply the brake gradually based on speed and distance, except in emergencies. Once the car comes to a complete stop, firmly press the brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling. For long-term parking, after the car has stopped completely, engage the parking brake, turn off the engine, and shift the gear lever to P (Park) position. Starting Procedure for Automatic Transmission Cars: Press the brake pedal with your right foot. To move forward, shift the gear lever to D (Drive) position; to reverse, shift it to R (Reverse) position. Release the parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal (allowing the car to move gently using inertia). Move your right foot to the accelerator pedal and press lightly to proceed.

[SanKayden]

Having driven automatic transmission cars for over a decade, let me be brutally honest – never shift from D to N while driving. Last week, I witnessed a novice driver attempt this maneuver at a roundabout, and the car suddenly lurched forward like it had lost its soul, nearly rear-ending the vehicle ahead. Automatic transmissions aren't manuals – coasting in neutral actually burns more fuel. Modern fuel injection systems cut fuel automatically when coasting in D, whereas in N the engine has to keep idling. Most critically, emergency maneuvers suffer from delayed power response; I learned this the hard way in my youth when a pedestrian suddenly dashed across an intersection and I barely avoided them. A mechanic once told me during maintenance that most transmission wear comes from these small habits, and the minimal fuel savings aren't worth a fraction of repair costs.

[VonAvery]

An experienced auto repair shop mechanic tells you that driving an automatic transmission in neutral is like committing slow suicide for the gearbox. Last month, we just repaired a car that needed a major transmission overhaul—the owner always shifted to N at high speeds to save fuel, resulting in dry grinding bearings that squealed loudly. Replacing the entire assembly cost over 8,000 yuan. The principle of an automatic transmission is that oil pressure drives the clutch plates to operate, and in D gear, the oil pump lubricates at full speed. Shifting to N causes a sudden drop in oil pressure, leaving the gear set spinning at high speeds in insufficient oil—how can metal-on-metal friction not cause damage? Those who say you should shift to neutral at red lights—it’s fine when idling at low RPM, but not while the car is moving. Short-distance coasting may not show obvious wear, but after three or five times, strange noises will surely come knocking.

[Parra]

From the perspective of a transmission R&D engineer: Shifting to N while driving violates mechanical system design logic. All parameters during automatic transmission calibration are optimized for D operation, such as planetary gear engagement angles and hydraulic circuit flow rates. Engaging N at speed is like yanking the plug on a spinning fan – inertia forces internal components into violent metal-on-metal impacts. Our lab tests show one 60km/h neutral shift equals 500km of D-range wear. Modern 9AT/10AT designs are even more precision-sensitive, where forced neutral shifts may trigger ECU fault codes. The proper way to protect your vehicle? Simply stay in D.