Will the car move if the accelerator is pressed in neutral gear?
2 Answers
When in neutral gear, pressing the accelerator won't make the car move; it will only move when in gear and the accelerator is pressed. Neutral Gear: Neutral gear usually refers to the state where the gear lever of a motor vehicle is not engaged in any forward or reverse gear, completely separating the transmission from the drive wheels. In manual transmissions, the neutral position is in the middle, while in automatic transmissions, it is marked with an N. Introduction to the Accelerator: The accelerator, also known as the throttle or air valve, is a control device that regulates the engine's power (thrust). In piston aircraft engines, the accelerator controls the opening of the carburetor's throttle to regulate the cylinder's filling volume, thereby determining the engine's output power. In gas turbine engines, the accelerator controls the metered fuel flow of the fuel regulator, thus determining the thrust generated by the engine.
With over twenty years of driving experience, I can confirm that pressing the accelerator in neutral definitely won't move the car—it won't budge at all. When you shift into neutral, the transmission disconnects the engine from the wheels. Pressing the accelerator only revs the engine at high speed, making the pistons move up and down violently, but the power doesn't transfer to the tires. The engine noise becomes very loud, almost like a roar, while the car remains completely stationary. I once had a friend who tried this out of curiosity, and the engine temperature quickly soared into the danger zone because the cooling system couldn't keep up. Later, they discovered a leaking oil seal and had to spend 800 bucks on repairs. Don’t make a habit of doing this in daily driving—it wastes fuel and increases carbon monoxide emissions. It’s always best to keep the gear in D or R while driving for safety and to protect the engine’s lifespan. Remember, occasionally testing the engine’s condition is fine, but don’t turn it into a habit.
