Does coasting in neutral gear harm the car?

[ArthurRose]

Coasting in neutral gear can harm the car, and the specific reasons are as follows: 1. Short-distance coasting in neutral gear does not harm the transmission because, even when coasting in neutral, the transmission does not stop supplying oil, and lubrication is continuously maintained in neutral gear. 2. The lubrication level in neutral gear is insufficient to alleviate the heat generated by high speeds. However, for the coasting speed when the car has already stopped and the brake is released from drive (D) gear, pushing directly into neutral gear is not a problem because the speed is low, and the lubrication level in neutral gear is sufficient. Therefore, coasting in neutral gear before a red light does not harm the transmission because the speed is 'low'.

[KayleeRose]

I remember when I used to drive a manual transmission car, I often coasted in neutral on long downhill slopes to save fuel. But once the transmission got stuck, and the mechanic said doing this long-term could cause gear wear and insufficient lubrication. Since then, I’ve made it a habit not to do that. With automatic transmissions, I absolutely avoid it because the hydraulic system relies on engine operation—coasting can lead to insufficient oil pressure and damage internal components. In reality, it saves little fuel while increasing risks, especially losing engine braking in emergencies. Now, after over 20 years of driving, I always follow the manual and keep it in D gear to ensure everything runs smoothly.

[Johnny]

As someone who has worked in an auto repair shop, I've personally witnessed many cases where customers damaged their automatic transmissions by coasting in neutral. The transmission requires continuous oil pressure to cool and lubricate components. However, when coasting in N gear, the engine doesn't drive the oil pump, causing oil pressure to drop. This leads to direct metal-on-metal friction, overheating, and rapid wear. Small issues can accumulate into major repairs, sometimes requiring complete transmission replacement at significant cost. While manual transmissions aren't as severely affected, frequent operation still accelerates wear. I recommend owners strictly follow maintenance manuals to avoid this habit. A simple test is to avoid touching the gearshift while driving to protect your vehicle.

[DeBrooke]

When I first got my driver's license, a friend told me that putting the car in neutral could save fuel, so I tried coasting on the highway. However, I always wondered if it might harm the car. Later, I read the owner's manual, which stated that automatic transmissions should not be coasted in neutral as it could cause damage, especially to the torque converter system. Some older manual transmission models might allow it, but the manual also recommended keeping the car in gear. Nowadays, I only use the N (neutral) gear when waiting at red lights or parking. The rest of the time, I keep it in D (drive) to ensure safety and mechanical health. After all, new cars are expensive, and I don't want to take any risks.