Do I still need to shift to N gear with autohold?

[SanDakota]

When autohold is engaged, it is equivalent to pulling the handbrake while in D gear. As for whether to shift back to N gear, it depends on the vibration of the car. The function of autohold: Autohold is equivalent to an automatic handbrake. When the brake is pressed, the electronic handbrake will automatically engage. It works particularly well with auto start-stop because when the brake is fully pressed, both autohold and auto start-stop come into effect, and the engine is in a shutdown state, so there's no need to consider gear issues at all. If the car does not have an auto start-stop function, autohold being engaged is equivalent to pulling the handbrake while in D gear. As for whether to shift back to N gear, it depends on the vibration of the car, as the driving force is still competing with the handbrake. For cars with significant vibration, it may be better to shift back to N gear. When to shift back to N gear: For situations like waiting at a red light, there is no need to change gears at all. However, when parked on the roadside for a long time, remember not to keep the car in D gear.

[EllieRose]

The car I'm driving now has autohold, and I find this feature incredibly useful! When stopping briefly at a red light, autohold automatically applies the brakes for you, so you don't have to worry about the gear or shifting to neutral. This makes driving much more relaxed, as both feet can take a break. Just keep it in D or drive mode, and the system will detect when the vehicle has stopped and maintain the brake. Autohold is designed to replace the hassle of manually pressing the brake and shifting to neutral, making driving more comfortable and convenient. Unless it's a scenario where you're parked for a long time, like waiting on a slope for several minutes or for a train, shifting to neutral can slightly reduce engine load and fuel consumption. But under normal circumstances, autohold is more than sufficient and safe. I recommend giving autohold a try—it will save you a lot of effort.

[OKeegan]

After understanding how autohold works, I realized it doesn't require shifting to N gear at all. Autohold relies on vehicle sensors and electronic systems to automatically apply brake pressure and lock the wheels when you come to a stop. In automatic transmission vehicles, you can use it normally while remaining in drive gear (D or R). Shifting to N gear puts the transmission in neutral, which is only useful for prolonged parking to prevent transmission overheating or save a bit of fuel. But since autohold already handles the braking part, there's no need to touch N gear during daily commutes or short stops in traffic. In fact, shifting to N might interfere with system settings, as it disengages autohold in some models. I always prioritize relying on autohold because it's smarter and more reliable without adding extra operations.

[DiLorenzo]

From a safety perspective, there's really no need to shift into N gear when you have autohold. Autohold ensures the vehicle won't roll when stationary, providing solid protection for drivers. Shifting to N gear may introduce risks, such as accidentally pressing the accelerator causing vehicle movement or transmission damage. When waiting at stops, keeping the gear in drive with autohold activated allows everything to be handled automatically, letting drivers focus more on the road. While shifting to N gear during prolonged stops can protect the vehicle, autohold itself doesn't affect vehicle lifespan. Relying reasonably on this function can reduce accidents and make driving more reassuring.