Is it okay to turn off the engine in N gear?
3 Answers
For automatic transmission vehicles, the gear should not be left in N (Neutral) after turning off the engine. Short-term placement in N gear: The N gear in automatic transmission vehicles can be used for short-term parking when the vehicle is completely stopped. For example, you can use N gear when waiting at a red light. At this time, the power connection between the engine and the transmission is cut off. Since the automatic transmission is designed such that the traction force for forward movement disappears in N gear and the engine power is reduced, using N gear for short-term parking can save fuel. Long-term placement in N gear may cause the car to roll: If the gear is left in N after turning off the engine in an automatic transmission vehicle, the car will be in an unstable state. On uneven roads, the car may roll, which is very dangerous.
Turning off the engine in N gear is theoretically possible, especially in manual transmission vehicles, because the neutral gear itself is designed to allow the vehicle to have no power output, and turning off the engine won’t harm the car. However, in automatic transmission vehicles, I prefer to turn off the engine in P gear because the P gear has a parking lock mechanism that prevents the vehicle from moving unexpectedly. Once, I turned off the engine in N gear in a parking lot, and the car actually slid slightly on a gentle slope—fortunately, it didn’t hit anything. Since then, I’ve developed the habit of shifting to P gear before turning off the engine every time. This is a matter of safety, especially in rainy conditions or on slopes, as an unlocked car can easily roll and cause an accident. Turning off an automatic transmission in N gear can also cause issues with the ignition system, potentially triggering warning lights the next time you start the car, which isn’t worth the trouble. Therefore, I recommend always using P gear to turn off automatic transmission vehicles, while manual transmission vehicles are fine either way. Always pay attention to the recommendations in your vehicle’s manual.
Shutting off the engine in Neutral (N) is feasible, and it's quite normal for manual transmission vehicles to operate this way. It won't cause harm to the engine or transmission since the neutral gear disengages the power. However, in automatic transmission vehicles, I've observed in practice that this practice may shorten the transmission's lifespan—the Park (P) gear's locking mechanism protects internal gears, preventing component loosening or rusting when the engine is off. I once repaired a friend's car who habitually turned off the engine in Neutral, and over time, the transmission triggered frequent warnings, resulting in significant repair costs. Therefore, I recommend developing the habit of using Park (P): gently push the gear lever before shutting off to confirm its position. Additionally, shutting off an automatic transmission in the wrong gear, such as Drive (D), is even more hazardous. In summary, safety comes first—ensure the vehicle is stable.
