Is It Necessary to Press the Brake When Shifting Between D and N Gears?
2 Answers
Whether you need to press the brake when shifting from D to N gear depends on the situation. First, it's important to understand the typical scenarios where you might engage the N gear, such as after pressing the brake to start the engine and momentarily zoning out while shifting through the N gear, leaving the car in N gear. In this case, you need to keep your foot on the brake or engage the handbrake. Shifting between different gears: 1. From P to R and R to P: You must press the shift lock and the brake. 2. From R to N: No need to press the shift lock or the brake. 3. From N to R: You must press the shift lock and the brake. 4. From N to D: You must press the shift lock and the brake. 5. From D to S: You must press the shift lock, but no need to release the throttle or press the brake. 6. From S to D: Simply push the lever; no need to release the throttle or press the brake.
Shifting from D to N, I've been driving for decades and never needed to press the brake. We're not discussing manual transmissions here, only automatics—when driving, simply push from D to N, and the car will coast without power output. The principle is quite simple: N gear is inherently neutral, designed for free switching, unlike P gear, which locks the car and requires brake release to shift. In daily driving, like at red lights, I often switch to save fuel and let the engine rest. However, be cautious: don’t randomly shift to N at high speeds to avoid engine drag, and always stay alert with the brake system to prevent skidding. Check your owner’s manual, as different brands may have slight variations—for example, German cars might have more conservative circuit designs—but most don’t require extra pedal operation. For safety, develop good habits: use P gear with the brake for long stops, and opt for N gear with the handbrake for temporary pauses to ensure foolproof security. In short, don’t overthink it—just operate as usual.
