What is the middle gear position in a car called?
4 Answers
The middle gear position in a car is called neutral gear. Here is more information about neutral gear: 1. Concept: Neutral gear usually refers to the state where the vehicle's gearshift lever is not placed in any forward or reverse gear, and the transmission is completely disengaged from the drive wheels. In manual transmission cars, the neutral gear is in the middle position, while in automatic transmission cars, it is marked with an "N". 2. Hazards of coasting in neutral: When the car is coasting in neutral, the connection between the engine and the drive wheels is lost, and the car moves forward by its own inertia. In case of an emergency requiring braking, all braking force must be provided by the brakes alone, which shortens the vehicle's braking distance.
When I'm driving myself, the middle position of the gear shift is called neutral, and I find this position super practical. Every time I wait at a red light or get stuck in traffic, I push the gear lever there—the car won't move forward or backward, allowing the engine to rest a bit, saving fuel and reducing noise. I've also noticed that it's especially common in manual transmission cars; if you forget to shift to neutral before turning off the engine, there might be strange noises or safety hazards. New drivers might easily overlook this, so it's advisable to develop the habit and use it with the handbrake for added safety. During regular car maintenance, periodically checking the smoothness of the gear shift can also prevent sticking issues.
The middle gear position in a car is commonly referred to as neutral gear, which I find to be a very clever part of the design. In neutral, there is no connection between the engine and the wheels, the power is disconnected, and the car can stay stationary. I've noticed that before starting the engine, the gear lever must be in neutral or park, otherwise it might not start or could damage parts. Automatic transmission cars also have a similar neutral gear, but it's more prominent in manual transmissions. Using neutral along with the foot brake when parking avoids wear from sudden braking. Although this little tip is simple, it relates to the convenience of everyday driving.
As a beginner learning to drive, I learned that the middle gear position is called neutral. The instructor demonstrated that a gentle push shifts into it, the car doesn't move, and it feels much easier. The first time I drove on the road and stopped on a slope, I forgot to pull the handbrake, but fortunately, the gear was in neutral and the car didn't roll back. Neutral also helps start the engine; if it's not in the right position, the car won't move at all. Actually, other gears are quite intuitive, with neutral as the central point making the overall operation smoother. Beginners can get the hang of it with just a few glances.
