What is the N gear in an automatic transmission?
3 Answers
Automatic N gear represents neutral gear. It can be engaged when stopping at traffic lights or parking for more than 30 seconds, with the purpose of cutting off power transmission between the input shaft and output shaft inside the transmission. Below are precautions for shifting gears in automatic transmission vehicles: 1. Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting gears. 2. Do not immediately press the accelerator pedal hard after engaging a gear. 3. The vehicle can only be started in P or N gear. 4. The shift lever must be depressed when removing it from P gear. 5. Do not shift into N gear while driving for coasting. 6. Do not push into P gear while the vehicle is moving. 7. When changing driving directions, switching between D and R gears should only be done after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. 8. Placing the gear in N while driving prevents the oil pump from properly supplying oil for lubrication, which can increase the temperature of internal transmission components and cause damage.
I've been driving for several years. I remember when I first started using an automatic transmission, I mistook the N gear for the parking gear. As a result, while waiting at a red light, I put the car in N gear without engaging the handbrake, and the car slightly rolled forward, almost causing a rear-end collision. The N gear is actually the neutral gear, meaning there's no connection between the engine and the wheels, so no power is transmitted, allowing the car to be pushed or slide freely. It's suitable for temporary situations, such as when washing the car—putting it in N gear allows the car to move slowly through the car wash without turning off the engine—or when towing to protect the transmission from damage. In daily use, you can shift to N gear for short stops to save a bit of fuel, but don’t rely on it long-term, as it can easily lead to rolling or wear on parts. The correct practice is to always shift to P gear and engage the handbrake when parking, using N gear only as a transition. Don’t be as careless as I was. Now I’ve developed the habit of being extra cautious, especially on slopes, to ensure safety comes first.
As a long-time automatic transmission driver, I believe the N (Neutral) gear has its practical uses in daily driving. In neutral, the engine runs but the wheels aren't driven, making it convenient for car washes or brief roadside stops while waiting – for instance, I often shift to N during work breaks to save fuel. However, it's not a cure-all solution. If you park on a slope using only N gear, the car may roll, as I've seen a friend cause minor scratches this way. The mechanism of N gear is to cut off power transmission, similar to manual transmission's neutral, allowing the car to be pushed or coast freely. Usage recommendations: Shift to N or P before starting the engine, always use N when towing to prevent damage, but remember N lacks locking functionality unlike P gear which locks the transmission. Extending this knowledge, understanding transmission positions like P, R, D, L contributes to smoother driving and reduces malfunction risks.
