What to Do If You Accidentally Shift to Neutral While Driving an Automatic Transmission Car?
1 Answers
If you accidentally shift to neutral while driving an automatic transmission car, you can directly shift back to D (Drive) without damaging the transmission. The gears in an automatic transmission car include: R (Reverse) for backing up, N (Neutral) for no gear engagement, and D (Drive) for moving forward. After starting the car, it is usually placed in D (Drive), and gear changes are rare under normal circumstances. Many people believe that coasting in neutral saves fuel, but this is incorrect. Modern car engines are mostly electronically fuel-injected, and prolonged idling consumes more fuel than instantaneous fuel consumption, potentially even damaging the transmission. Automatic transmissions require lubrication during operation. When shifted to neutral, the oil pump stops supplying oil, preventing proper lubrication, which can lead to elevated transmission temperatures or even complete failure.