What are the techniques for coasting in neutral with an automatic transmission?

[VonGiselle]

Cars equipped with automatic transmissions should not coast in neutral, and there are no techniques to speak of. The reasons why coasting in neutral is not recommended are as follows: 1. When a car is coasting in neutral, the connection between the engine and the drive wheels is disconnected, and the car moves forward solely by inertia. In emergency situations requiring braking, all braking force must be provided by the brakes alone. When coasting with the transmission engaged, the engine itself provides some resistance, which, combined with the brakes, shortens the braking distance. Additionally, coasting in neutral can cause the car to stall easily, leading to brake booster failure and reduced braking performance, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. 2. If neutral coasting is chosen, the car's computer will put the engine into idle mode, and fuel injection will continue. Therefore, coasting in neutral does not save fuel; in fact, it may even increase fuel consumption.

[TessaLee]

After driving for ten years, I realized that coasting in neutral sounds fuel-efficient and effortless, but it's actually a misconception. When an automatic transmission car is shifted into N (neutral) while moving, the engine and wheels become disconnected, causing the transmission fluid pressure to drop, which can lead to overheating and wear of the gears. After trying it a few times, my car developed unusual transmission noises, and the mechanic said such damage is quite common. The correct coasting technique is to keep the gear in D (drive), allowing engine braking to help control speed and prevent brake overheating on long downhill slopes. You can briefly use N (neutral) when stopping at a red light or temporarily parked, but don't take shortcuts while coasting—safety comes first. Now, I only coast in D (drive), and my fuel consumption hasn't increased; in fact, I feel more at ease. I recommend learning more about how transmissions work—there are plenty of online videos explaining maintenance knowledge.

[OJayce]

As someone who frequently modifies cars, I think the topic of automatic transmission coasting is worth discussing in detail. Coasting in neutral disconnects the power link, which may cause the transmission oil pump to stop working, leading to insufficient lubrication and damage to internal components. I once experienced jerking sensations after modifying my car and driving long distances. The practical technique is to avoid coasting in N gear and use D gear to let the system automatically manage the coasting distance. If the car has a manual mode, you can downshift to control the speed, which provides a more stable effect. Don't be misled by old drivers' fuel-saving advice—modern cars coasting in D gear are more fuel-efficient and safer.

[DeclanRose]

As an ordinary office worker who drives my kids to and from school every day, safety is my top priority. Coasting in neutral is too dangerous—I tried it once and almost couldn't stop in time because you lose engine braking in N gear, especially risky in rainy conditions when control is easily lost. The correct method is to always coast in D gear, controlling speed with the accelerator and brake. It's fine to shift to N when stopped at a red light, but never switch while moving. Remember to maintain your transmission regularly to prevent minor issues from turning into costly repairs.

[DiRonan]

Coasting in neutral is often mentioned for automatic transmission vehicles, but from an engineering perspective, the transmission design isn't suited for N-gear coasting. Oil pressure changes can accelerate component wear. I've seen numerous cases of damage caused by this issue. Technique-wise, it's better to coast in D-gear and use the foot brake when necessary. For long downhill sections, using L-gear or manual low gear is recommended to prevent brake overheating. Overall, it's wiser to follow the vehicle's manual rather than pursuing questionable techniques.