What does it mean to start the engine without shifting to neutral?

[VanJasmine]

Starting the engine without shifting to neutral means starting the car by depressing the clutch, which is essentially coasting in neutral. Introduction to Shifting to Neutral: Shifting to neutral refers to moving the gear from any of the 1st to 5th gears into neutral while the car is moving or before turning off the engine after parking. This applies to manual transmission cars. For automatic transmission cars, this concept doesn't exist because although they also have a neutral gear (N), it is not allowed to shift into N while the car is in motion, as it can cause significant damage to the transmission or even render it useless. Introduction to Coasting in Neutral: The term 'coasting in neutral' is somewhat outdated now. For carburetor-equipped cars, shifting to neutral and coasting at any speed did save fuel, but the trade-off was that without the engine's braking effect via the clutch, the entire burden of deceleration fell on the braking system of all four wheels. If an emergency brake is needed while coasting in neutral, the braking distance would be longer compared to coasting with the gear engaged. In other words, while saving fuel, it also introduced some risks in terms of braking performance.

[VanViolet]

I just experienced this myself a few days ago, and it was absolutely terrifying. I was driving an automatic transmission car. One time when I parked by the roadside and tried to start the engine, I forgot to shift the gear to P (Park). The gear was still in D (Drive) at that moment. As soon as I turned the key, the car suddenly lurched forward. Luckily, I reacted quickly and hit the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision with the wall in front. Later, I learned that starting an automatic transmission car must be done in P (Park) or N (Neutral) gear—meaning the parking gear or neutral gear. Starting the car without shifting to neutral means you haven’t correctly positioned the gear, which can easily cause the car to move unexpectedly, posing a serious danger. Automatic transmissions have a protective mechanism, but if it fails or you force-start the car, it can not only damage the starter but also lead to loss of vehicle control. I advise all automatic transmission drivers to develop the habit of always confirming the gear is in P (Park) before starting the engine. Don’t be as careless as I was—otherwise, an accident could happen, and you’ll regret it when it’s too late.

[DiCorey]

This is actually a critical safety issue. Starting the engine without being in neutral means the gear is not in Park or Neutral position for automatic transmission vehicles. Having analyzed numerous vehicle accident cases, I've found this mistake often occurs in haste, such as when the owner forgets to shift gears while rushing to start. Automatic transmissions are designed to prevent startup in Drive or Reverse gear, or may cause sudden vehicle movement, as a safeguard against misuse - though older vehicles might carry risks. If accidentally started, the car could lurch forward, potentially causing injury or collisions. As someone who has long focused on driving safety, I emphasize that checking gear position before starting is fundamental. Don't underestimate this habit - it can prevent over 80% of starting-related accidents. Remember: always shift to Park when stopping, and double-check gear position before starting to ensure safety for yourself and others.

[DePaislee]

From a mechanical perspective, starting the engine without shifting to neutral means initiating the engine when the gear is not in the neutral position. Automatic transmissions require the circuit to be engaged only in Park or Neutral gear during startup, as the starter motor would be locked in other gear positions. If the engine is accidentally started in Drive gear, the engine power is directly transmitted to the wheels without any buffering, potentially damaging the transmission gears. I remember once helping a friend inspect his car and found that he frequently started it improperly, ultimately costing over a thousand dollars in repairs. Simply put, always shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) before starting for safety.