Why do Automatic Cars Have a Neutral Gear?

If you are experienced in driving an automatic car, you will know the need for a gear of neutral between reverse and drive, which is never used. So you must be thinking that why neutral has been given then. Of course, whenever you stop and park the vehicle, you usually select Park and apply the handbrake.

In fact, park and neutral are basically the same things. There is a locking mechanism in the park, called a 'pawl', which prevents the transmission from turning, and should only be used when the vehicle has stopped. With the transmission locked in the park, the handbrake is always used to prevent overloading and damage to the transmission. Here it is similar to Neutral Park but without the locking mechanism.

So when and why do we use neutrals? It is generally seen that the main purpose of neutral on automatic is to tow or push the car. You will not be able to push or tow a car with the transmission in park and if you tow a car with the transmission in gear or in the park and the drive wheels come into contact with the ground that will damage your transmission and possibly the tires also get harmed.

Neutral is helpful in emergency situations. For example, if the accelerator or throttle is stuck and the engine is spinning continuously, the brakes alone may not be enough to slow down and stop the vehicle, especially when you are traveling on a high-speed road.

Shutting down the engine cuts power to the steering and brakes, making it extremely difficult to stop the car without damage. By shifting to neutral, will not prevent the engine from revving, but it does make it much easier to slow down and stop the vehicle.

If you want to learn automatic cars properly then don't miss hiring Gill Driving School Deer Park. Our instructors focus on each individual and their needs, thereby patiently encouraging them to overcome their fears and ensuring that they have enough practice to become fully aware of the nuisances of driving in Deer Park, Australia.