How to use N number on car correctly?

What is the function of number N?

N will cut the connection between the engine and the wheels, causing the power to be lost to the wheels when the driver presses the accelerator. This allows the wheels to rotate freely without mechanical action but the vehicle can still be controlled. Using N will not harm the engine but will require a lot of braking force to stop the vehicle, if used for a long time will damage the torque converter.

Cases where number N should be used

The functions of the gear lever related to vehicle operation have been clearly defined with D (Drive) to move, R (Reverse) to reverse and P (Park) to park. However, only N (Neutral) is not directly related to any state of the vehicle. When in N, the vehicle is disconnected from the engine to the wheels, meaning the vehicle does not move even though the engine is running.

Based on this structure, car manufacturers recommend that N should only be used in some special situations, which is when you want the engine to no longer be connected to the wheels.

First, when the car is dead, you need to push the gear lever to N to be able to pull and push the car easily. If not in N, the mechanical linkage will make the car unable to move if the pushing force is weak, on the contrary, if the force is too strong, it can damage the mechanical parts inside.

If the car stalls while the gear lever is in D, P or R, the driver will not be able to shift to N. At this time, press the Shift Lock button next to the gear lever to move the gear lever.

The second case where you should use N is when the car is stuck on the throttle. Disconnecting the car will prevent the car from going out of control, allowing the driver to stop the car.

Cases where the number N should not be used

First, many drivers have the habit of shifting to N to let the car drift when not accelerating, for example, approaching an intersection or going down a long slope. Recent studies show that today's cars are set to idle when stopped, so shifting to N or in D does not affect the car's fuel consumption.

Meanwhile, returning to N makes the car no longer be held down by the engine, increasing the possibility of losing control, especially on steep mountain passes.

When the car loses its brakes, do not use N but reduce speed by shifting to a lower gear. Manual and sport-gear cars are very suitable for gradually shifting to a lower gear proactively in this case. Only use N when the low gear helps to slow the car down to the point of almost stopping. At this time, use N to disconnect, the car is no longer pulled by the engine, combine with the handbrake to stop the car, turn off the engine.

In the case of stopping at a red light, using N or not, experts say that it is just a habit of the driver, it can be left in D or N, because the more important thing is that the car must always brake whether in N or D. However, drivers are often subjective when they have returned to N, so they neglect to brake, leading to the car drifting, especially drifting backwards when the road is steep.