Does Shutting Off the Engine in Neutral (N) Gear Damage an Automatic Transmission Car?

[OEthan]

Shutting off the engine in Neutral (N) gear does not damage an automatic transmission car. The N gear is used when the vehicle is temporarily stopped. It serves as the neutral position for automatic transmissions, located between the Reverse (R) and Drive (D) gears on the gearshift console, and its purpose is to cut off power transmission between the input and output shafts inside the transmission. Automatic transmissions do not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. Other gears include: 1. P (Park) gear for parking; 2. R (Reverse) gear for backing up; 3. L (Low) gear for low-speed driving; 4. S (Sport) mode for enhanced performance; 5. D (Drive) gear for forward motion. The method to start an automatic transmission car is: 1. Turn the ignition key to the second position (power mode), allowing the car's computer system to perform a self-check; 2. Press the foot brake and shift the gear to P (Park); 3. Release the foot brake and start the engine.

[McWillow]

I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade. From a technical perspective, turning off the engine in N (Neutral) gear won't directly harm the engine or transmission, as power is cut off when the engine stops and the transmission is in a no-load state. However, the risk lies in the vehicle potentially rolling unexpectedly after shutdown, especially when parked on a slope. Without engaging P (Park) gear to lock the transmission, the car's movement could strain drivetrain components or cause accidents. I recommend developing this habit: when parking, first press the brake, shift to P gear, engage the handbrake, and then turn off the engine. Modern cars have electronic parking assist, but relying on it is less reliable than manual operation. Regularly checking transmission fluid and brake systems can also prevent problems. After all, safe driving is far more important than cutting corners.