Is neutral gear N or P?
3 Answers
Neutral gear is N, used for temporary stops; P is the parking gear, used for long-term parking. Neutral gear generally refers to the state where the gear lever of a motor vehicle is not placed in any forward or reverse gear, and the transmission is completely disengaged from the drive wheels. For manual transmissions, the neutral position is in the middle, while for automatic transmissions, it is marked as "N". Coasting in neutral has long been considered a fuel-saving practice, especially among most truck drivers who often turn off the engine and coast in neutral to save fuel. However, for fuel-injected engine cars, coasting in neutral should be used with caution, and turning off the engine while coasting in neutral is even more inadvisable. Once the gear lever is placed in neutral for coasting, the drive wheels lose their driving force, and the connection between the engine and the drive wheels is severed. The car then moves forward by its own inertia. If an emergency arises requiring braking during this time, all braking force must be provided by the brakes alone. This demands that the braking system supply a large amount of braking force in a very short time, but the braking system's capacity is limited. Therefore, this will inevitably affect braking performance, at least lengthening the braking distance.
I've always been a car enthusiast and have driven various automatic transmission models for over ten years. Putting it in neutral definitely refers to the N gear, not the P gear. Simply put, N stands for Neutral, meaning the engine is still running but the power isn't transmitted to the wheels, allowing the car to roll freely. It's suitable for use at red lights or when towing. The P gear is for Park, specifically for parking, locking the transmission to prevent movement, and should only be engaged when parking. Accidentally shifting into P while driving can severely damage the gears and potentially cause an accident—I've seen a friend ruin their car this way firsthand. My advice for daily driving is to remember this trick: use N for neutral, engage the handbrake and shift to N at red lights, and shift to P before turning off the engine when parking. Developing good habits can protect your transmission, save on repair costs, and enhance safety. Always refer to your owner's manual, as there might be slight variations between different cars, but the principles remain the same.
I just got my driver's license not long ago, and when I started learning to drive an automatic car, I couldn't figure out which gear was neutral. Later, my instructor told me it must be the N gear, while the P gear is used for completely stopping the car, like before getting out and locking the door. I remember the first time I drove alone, I casually shifted to P at a red light, and the car suddenly jerked, which scared me—turns out that was wrong. Now I know that the N gear keeps the car idling without worrying about stalling or locking the wheels, making it the best choice for traffic jams or temporary stops. Safety first—never shift to P while driving, as it can damage the engine. Develop a routine for daily driving: when parking, first press the brake, shift to N, engage the handbrake, and then switch to P before leaving. These small tips help avoid confusion and make driving easier.
