Will an Automatic Transmission Car Move Without Pressing the Accelerator?
2 Answers
When an automatic transmission car is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) gear, it will not move whether the accelerator is pressed or not; when the gear is in any position other than P or N, the car will move when the accelerator is pressed and also when it is not pressed. It is important to note that an automatic transmission car should not be put in neutral, as coasting in neutral can damage the automatic transmission. The following are common misconceptions about using an automatic transmission: 1. Keeping the car in D (Drive) gear during prolonged stops: If the brake pedal is held down for a long time, it forcibly stops the car from moving forward, causing the transmission fluid temperature to rise and the fluid to deteriorate more easily, especially when the engine is idling at a higher speed with the air conditioning system running. 2. Shifting to N (Neutral) gear while driving at high speeds or going downhill: This can potentially burn out the transmission, as the transmission output shaft rotates at a high speed while the engine idles, leading to insufficient oil supply from the transmission oil pump and worsening lubrication conditions.
I was a newly licensed driver and felt extremely nervous the first time I drove an automatic transmission car. I thought I had to press the accelerator for the car to move, so when I released the brake in the parking lot, I was shocked to see it slowly creeping forward on its own. Later, a friend explained that this is the idle crawl feature—the engine generates a small amount of power while running, which is transmitted through the transmission to the wheels, allowing the car to move slowly on flat ground. This is super convenient for reversing into parking spaces or during traffic jams, as you don’t need to stomp on the accelerator, saving effort and fuel. However, be careful on slopes, like when exiting a garage ramp—releasing just the brake might not provide enough power, causing the car to roll backward. I learned this the hard way when I almost hit a wall. So now, during practice, I always test how the car responds in different road conditions to ensure safety.
