Is Neutral Gear the N Gear?
2 Answers
Neutral gear is the N gear. The function of neutral gear: For manual transmissions, neutral gear means the gears on the input shaft of the transmission are free-spinning on the shaft and cannot bear loads or transmit power. For automatic transmissions, it means the degrees of freedom in the gear train are not restricted, so it also cannot transmit power. In terms of the power path, the engine's power is transmitted to the gearbox, but since there is no gear ratio inside the gearbox, the power is interrupted, and the vehicle cannot start moving. Precautions for neutral gear: Automatic transmission vehicles should not coast in neutral under non-special circumstances, as it is unsafe and can damage the transmission due to insufficient lubrication of gears and other components caused by the oil pump's inadequate oil supply. Additionally, neutral gear lacks a braking mechanism, so the parking brake or brake pedal must be used to park the vehicle; otherwise, it may roll on uneven surfaces.
Yes, in automatic transmission vehicles, the neutral position is typically marked as the N gear. With years of driving experience, I've noticed that many beginners often confuse the gears, such as D for Drive (forward), R for Reverse, and N for Neutral, which puts the car in a state where it neither moves forward nor backward. In this mode, the engine is disconnected from the wheels, so the car won't move on its own, but the wheels can rotate freely. Manual transmission cars don't have an N letter; they achieve neutral by placing the gear lever in the middle position. Why is it called N? It comes from the abbreviation of the English word 'Neutral,' meaning neutral. In daily use, such as during car washes or brief stops, shifting to N gear is fine, but if parked on a slope, always engage the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling. Safety first—developing good habits is crucial.
