Does switching from drive to neutral in your car while driving damage it?

Question

I think I messed up my transmission then do it.

Answer 1

No...........but it is illegal to do in all states, this is known as coasting and what you might do is get into an accident being in the wrong gear if an emergency arose..

Answer 2

these are the kind of dumb things smart people do to save a couple pennies. then they will drive 5 extra miles because they can't or won't learn how to parallel park

Answer 3

no

Answer 4

No. it only disengages the motor from turning the wheels.

Answer 5

no it doesn't do damage.  it doesn't save gas, it just makes it so your car doesn't stall when you come to a complete stop in gear.

Answer 6

Don't switch to Park.

Answer 7

thats what i always thought. so i never did it. then i saw my friend do it and hes had his car for years. so then i figure it probably doesnt. so now i do it at the long red lights.

Answer 8

If its done properly it saves fuel! i drive  a 1.4mpi VW polo auto and  i do that a lot. waiting at lights its fine. When you do it going up to stop at hills or just want to roll down a hill in neutral - when you change it you need to give it time to get into gear again. I prefer to do it going down hill, so when the hill goes back up, the engine hasnt slowed it down and lost a bit of petrol.

If youve done it too late, you'll hear and feel a horrible clunk if you accelerate too fast before you put it back into drive. This damages the transmission - its a good way to get wheelspin but i wouldnt recommend it lol.

automatics are generally slower at accelerating than the normal manual. but autos are a lot better controlled at the mid to high speed ranges. If you want a fast acceleration get an induction kit and a good exhaust. that will give it a decent kick.



ALSO to get a fast start. hold the break to the floor, and then rev it to the floor (no more than 3 seconds or it will overheat) and let the foot of the brake - this gives a better and faster start.

EDIT __________

i dont know why these people are saying its bad for the car and doesnt save fuel. because it DOES save fuel - the car is pumping in petrol but your stopping it with your foot. which just overheated the engine. that petrol energy doesnt just save stored for momentum. it just converts to heat.

if the N to D is done correctly then it is absolutely fine.

Answer 9

Last time I did that was in a 1981 Cutlass Wagon. Cost me a new transmission. $900.00

And that is why most towing companies will not 'flat tow' a rear wheel drive car from the front end. They pick them up by the rear end.

Answer 10

No, it's actually a real gas saver if you put it into neutral.  

Answer 11

Some automatic transmissions have a pump that operates only when the transmission is in gear.  These are primarily older cars and some of the cheaper ones.  While coasting in neutral some parts are not getting lubricated.  But you'd have coast, or tow the car a long distance before any damage was done.

Answer 12

Well it shouldn't but don't make it a habit of it and if it is a manual it is no big deal but automatic be careful transmission are very expensive to fix and they have alot of sensors  

Answer 13

n0 mechanic but I wouldnt do it Purposely I accidently did that on the freeway once and my new Chevy cavel.er cut off on me   although it Started right back up but that was embarrasing!  

Answer 14

No it doesnt. Dat will merely let ur car roll on naturally with momentum.

Pros: Save fuel. Notice the rps drops to abt 800 (normal rps when engine is on but not moving)

cons: Dangerous as u may delay in any acceleratio-needed situation. Also dangerous when going downhill as there isnt engine brake. Use of normal brake is ok but not so if its mountain downhill as brakes may get worn out.

Answer 15

No.

Answer 16

nope just dont switch from Drive to Reverse. Take it from me not a great experience haha

Answer 17

I did it once, years ago on an automatic.  The accelerator got stuck and I popped it into Neutral and nursed the parking brake to stop.  Not fun.  It didn't harm my transmission. So in an emergency, go for it. But I wouldn't make a habbit of donig that on a standard transmission.

I would look for scientific references if you are trying to save on gas.  Seems to me that the engine is still running at idle speed weather or not the drive system is engaged.  ... you wanna save gas when you are idling, buy a Prius ;-)

Answer 18

just don't grind the gears..but if you have an automatic then this is not a problem so no..