Is It Necessary to Return to Neutral When Shifting Gears?
3 Answers
When driving, it is not necessary to pass through neutral every time you shift gears. Here is an introduction to the car gear positions: P (Park): The parking lock position. When the gear lever is moved to this position, the drive wheels are mechanically locked. The gear lever can only be moved to this position after the car has come to a complete stop. To move the gear lever out of this position, you must press the brake pedal and turn on the ignition. R (Reverse): The reverse position. Move the gear lever to this position when reversing. The gear lever can only be moved to this position after the car has come to a complete stop. N (Neutral): The neutral position. When the gear lever is moved to this position, the transmission does not engage any gear. No power is transmitted to the wheels, and the engine braking function cannot be utilized. D (Drive): The driving position (normal shifting program). When the gear lever is moved to this position, the transmission automatically shifts up or down within the engine speed range. The shift points depend on engine load, the driver's driving style, and vehicle speed.
When I first started driving a manual transmission car, I habitually returned the gear lever to the neutral position every time I shifted gears—it became like a natural reflex. My instructor taught me that returning to neutral allows the gears to fully disengage, preventing incorrect gear engagement or stalling during startup. Especially on mountain roads, failing to return to neutral first can cause the car to roll backward, posing a danger. Once, I forgot to do this in a hurry, and the transmission got stuck, making a harsh grinding noise, which cost me a fortune to repair. For beginners, it's advisable to consistently return to neutral to develop smooth shifting habits and avoid excessive wear from sudden acceleration. In daily driving, this practice protects the engine and transmission system, extending the vehicle's lifespan. After a few more practices, it becomes muscle memory.
Having driven manual transmissions for years, shifting back to neutral has become second nature. While some boast about quickly skipping neutral when shifting, I've always believed a brief pause is safer and more reliable. In congested streets, returning to neutral prevents unintended vehicle movement during gear changes, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. Reflecting on my past days of aggressive driving, while the technique was fast, mistakes were more likely. Now, I emphasize smooth transitions, which benefits transmission health and reduces fatigue, especially on long drives. However, automatic transmission cars are entirely different: they shift gears automatically, requiring no manual intervention at all.
