Why does the car still roll when in neutral gear?
2 Answers
The reasons why the car still rolls when in neutral gear are as follows: 1. Linkage mechanism misalignment: Caused by misalignment of the gear shift linkage mechanism, which can be resolved by adjusting the linkage. 2. Lock mechanism wear: Wear of the reverse gear locking mechanism inside the transmission, making it unable to effectively lock the reverse gear. 3. Long-term wear: The inertial lock ring and the internal meshing teeth on the sliding sleeve wear into a conical shape over time, generating axial thrust on the meshing teeth. When this thrust exceeds the spring locking force of the gear, it causes gear disengagement. 4. Weakened locking force: The spring locking force of the gear weakens or breaks, or the self-locking steel ball dislodges or gets damaged.
I often encounter this situation while driving, especially when parked on a slope where the car still rolls in neutral gear. Neutral means the transmission disengages power delivery to the wheels, leaving the vehicle relying solely on the braking system to stay in place. If the ground has an incline, gravity will cause the car to move; excessively worn brake pads or an incompletely engaged handbrake may also prevent the car from staying stationary. Automatic transmission vehicles require extra caution—neutral gear is only for temporary stops. The safe practice is to apply the handbrake or shift to Park (P) to lock the transmission. Additionally, regularly checking brake fluid levels and replacing brake pads is crucial to avoid unintended rolling and potential accidents. Once, my car rolled half a meter on a mountain road—luckily, it didn’t hit anything—and since then, I always prioritize using Park gear. Prolonged neutral rolling can also damage the suspension system, so developing good habits is key.
