What does it mean to be in neutral gear online?
3 Answers
Being in neutral gear online means not being properly dressed. Below is an introduction to the various gears of an automatic transmission car: 1. P gear: Also known as the parking gear, it uses the mechanical device inside the transmission to lock the rotating parts of the car. It must be used only when the vehicle is completely stopped. Additionally, when the car is turned off, the gear must be in P. 2. N gear: This is the neutral gear. Generally, when briefly stopping, you can shift to neutral, allowing your right foot to rest off the brake pedal. However, on slopes, you still need to press the brake to prevent rolling, unless you engage the handbrake or electronic brake. 3. D gear: The drive gear. When in D gear, the driver only needs to control the throttle pedal to adjust the speed. The transmission will automatically determine the gear based on the throttle position and vehicle speed, eliminating the need for manual shifting.
I remember when I first learned to drive a manual transmission car, the instructor repeatedly emphasized the concept of shifting into neutral—that is, when the car is stationary or waiting at a red light, pushing the gear lever to the middle position to disconnect the engine from the wheels, allowing the engine to idle without causing the car to lurch forward. In my early days of learning, I often misunderstood, thinking that shifting into neutral could save fuel, but later I realized it was only a temporary measure; in heavy traffic or on slopes, coasting in neutral could lead to loss of control. Proper use of it while driving is important, such as during automatic car washes or short waits, as it reduces transmission wear. However, treating neutral as a fuel-saving tool is a big misconception—modern vehicles recommend using it briefly when necessary.
Having driven for decades, I'm all too familiar with neutral gear—it puts the car in a neutral state, disconnecting the engine from the wheels, typically used for towing or brief stops. I recall people on mountain roads thinking coasting downhill in neutral saves fuel, which is purely dangerous behavior as engine loss of control can easily cause accidents. In reality, it's suitable for waiting at intersections or when temporarily shutting off an automatic transmission car to avoid overheating the gearbox. I've seen many novices make mistakes, like frequently shifting gears and burning out components. Proper use can extend a car's lifespan, provided it's only used in safe scenarios.
