What Happens When Starting the Engine in Neutral Gear?
2 Answers
Neutral parking primarily differs between automatic and manual transmissions. Manual transmission vehicles can remain unaffected. The consequences of neutral parking for automatic transmission cars and the correct method for parking and turning off the engine are as follows: 1. Prerequisite for Neutral: Turning off the engine in neutral gear poses no issues for the car. The engine should only be turned off in N (neutral) or P (park) gears. Turning off the engine in D (drive) or R (reverse) gears can damage the transmission. The prerequisite for neutral is ensuring the car is on level ground to prevent rolling. 2. Correct Method for Parking and Turning Off the Engine: Shift from the driving gear to N gear, pause for 0.5-1 second in N gear, then directly shift to P gear, and finally engage the handbrake. 3. Gear Shifting: This operation avoids switching gears twice consecutively during shifting. The action should be smooth, with each gear position having a detent. Although passing through R gear, it does not mean shifting into R gear.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I'm accustomed to starting the engine in neutral—it's excellent for the engine. Without any load during startup, the starter motor can turn the engine more easily, reducing wear and tear. If you start in gear, the car might lurch forward unexpectedly, potentially causing an accident. I remember when I was younger helping a friend fix his old car—he forgot to put it in neutral, and when he started it, the car surged forward and nearly hit a wall. Scared the life out of us! Modern cars have safety locks, but older ones don’t, so developing the habit of starting in neutral is crucial. When parking, shift to neutral, engage the handbrake, and only shift into gear after starting—this ensures a smooth process. It not only protects the engine and battery but also enhances safety. I always teach this to beginners—it’s all benefit, no harm. Just avoid doing this on slopes to prevent rolling. In short, starting in neutral is the standard practice—don’t cut corners.
