Should You Press the Brake When Shifting from D to N in an Automatic Transmission?
1 Answers
Shifting from D to N in an automatic transmission requires pressing the brake. Doing so will not cause any damage to the transmission. If you do not press the brake, the vehicle will coast in neutral, which can not only damage the car but also pose life-threatening risks. Below are the relevant details: Impact on Braking Performance: In neutral, there is no engine braking force, so the braking system must work entirely on its own. This can easily lead to overheating of the brakes, causing thermal fade and reducing braking performance. Risk of Shortening Transmission Lifespan: Neutral gear cuts off the power connection between the engine and the transmission, leaving the transmission in an independent state without the engine's power output. This causes the transmission fluid pressure to drop rapidly. Insufficient fluid pressure can lead to poor lubrication between internal components, increasing the transmission's internal temperature and friction between parts. Over time, this accelerates the aging of the transmission, reducing its lifespan.