Auto Car - N Gear

nowhere · Post by **nowhere** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:53 pm

Hi all

What the use of the N-Gear? It stated in the manual it for short stopping (ie waiting period) but i'm sure most of us would use the P instated. So what use is it for?

In addition, if we are travelling on the highway going down slope. can we engage N to make use of the free gear, it would save petrol as there no crutch brake right?

Would frequency changing between N and D cause any long term effect?

cheers

rango · Post by **rango** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 9:16 pm

i drive auto seldom touch my n gear....sometimes just for short bwaiting period i engage n gear when i waiting otherwise nvr touch...

City1972 · Post by **City1972** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 12:07 am

i find going down slope without engaged in gear dangerous. car like floating n theres no engine brake in emergency.

JackOfTradez · Post by **JackOfTradez** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 1:31 am

City1972 wrote:i find going down slope without engaged in gear dangerous. car like floating n theres no engine brake in emergency.

true...but auto car when in D doesnt have much engine brake rite?coz its always moving forward

nowhere · Post by **nowhere** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:32 am

City1972 wrote:i find going down slope without engaged in gear dangerous. car like floating n theres no engine brake in emergency.

Yup fully agreed when going down slope without engaged in gear, however, i'm referring to highway where there downward slope. I mean it a straight road and you are crusing, with gear engaged, it tend to slow you down (Safety factor i think). So was thinking if i enaged to N, it should be more fuel saving for me. But wonder what the long term impact of switching between D and N frequency. Most ppl dont use N gear

Silver · Post by **Silver** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:42 pm

nowhere wrote:
City1972 wrote:i find going down slope without engaged in gear dangerous. car like floating n theres no engine brake in emergency.
Yup fully agreed when going down slope without engaged in gear, however, i'm referring to highway where there downward slope. I mean it a straight road and you are crusing, with gear engaged, it tend to slow you down (Safety factor i think). So was thinking if i enaged to N, it should be more fuel saving for me. But wonder what the long term impact of switching between D and N frequency. Most ppl dont use N gear

Switching them too often might hurt your gearbox in the long run...

calvin_ · Post by **calvin_** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 5:35 pm

as far as i know, it is for the following reasons:
1) Provides a buffer between D and R.
2) Meant for short waiting when you do not wish to engage the tranmission lock (P). (some cars, very rare though, cannot wait in Neutral)
3) Meant for freewheeling. By this i mean like when you want to jack up a car to tyre change, or check. or towing, you want to handpush your car without starting the engine.

In modern fuel injected engines, by putting to N to freewheel the car, doesn't save fuel. even if it does, it's insignificant. according to some sources, it wastes fuel. but like i say, insignificant.

Nov · Post by **Nov** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:32 pm

I put to neutral when I approach a traffic junction that just turned red...Cos the clutch is at half-clutch when its at D and the car isn't moving...So being at half-clutch wears the clutch pads and for prolonged periods isn't too healthy haha...

Do correct me if I'm wrong though...

VBlaster_W211 · Post by **VBlaster_W211** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 10:23 pm

Wrong. Constantly switching bet D and N is what will wear the auto transmission.

There is no "half-clutch" for auto gear when not moving in D.

Nov · Post by **Nov** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:15 am

VBlaster_W211 wrote:Wrong. Constantly switching bet D and N is what will wear the auto transmission.

There is no "half-clutch" for auto gear when not moving in D.

Oh ok, thanks for correcting me...

Since there are disadvantages in switching, anyone knows the reason why do some people recommend that we switch to neutral when we are going to stop for more than a minute?

intotead · Post by **intotead** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:37 am

never put to N when yr car is still moving. this is my workshop guys told me. u will spoilt your gearbox for sure if put to N when car still moving. if stop already put to N a while still ok but better not. as some guys here also say will wear your gearbox faster.

ggeeulb · Post by **ggeeulb** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:04 am

Aiyo. So many theories.

I think the biggest benefactors are the car manufacturers. Cos they purposely put in the N and don't put in a safety feature (like brake before engage Reverse and L gear) so that everyone can suka suka push into N, then gearbox spoil, they can sell you new one. Hahahahahaha. Seriously you guys. Give it up.

nowhere · Post by **nowhere** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:47 pm

intotead wrote:never put to N when yr car is still moving. this is my workshop guys told me. u will spoilt your gearbox for sure if put to N when car still moving. if stop already put to N a while still ok but better not. as some guys here also say will wear your gearbox faster.

So put or no put. In nut shell, N is useless ahhh

Cougar_23 · Post by **Cougar_23** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 6:35 am

it is ok to put N during ocassional stops

but compared to one who stepped on the brake during a stop instead, the latter's gearbox will last longer.

if i remember correctly during an advanced driving course many yrs ago, "half clutch" happens when a driver depresses the brake pedal a little, at this moment u can feel your car wanting to inch forward

to answer your question, N gear is useful because the gear/clutch will have "sufficient time" to react & engage between D, R, D1 or D2 modes

no manufacturers can do up auto transmission gearbox without having the N gear.

intotead · Post by **intotead** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:11 am

nowhere wrote:
intotead wrote:never put to N when yr car is still moving. this is my workshop guys told me. u will spoilt your gearbox for sure if put to N when car still moving. if stop already put to N a while still ok but better not. as some guys here also say will wear your gearbox faster.
So put or no put. In nut shell, N is useless ahhh

better not lah. just my 2 cents. by the way singapore traffic red light very fast what put to N than a while must put back to D. sure very fast up the lorry one. as for me i very seldom put to N unless the traffic very bad and does not move at all i will normally put to P better, like that no need to press the brakes what right..... hope it helps..