Do I need to turn on the neutral on the machine. Do I need to turn on the neutral in the automatic transmission at the traffic lights?

The car at present is not a luxury anymore, but a comfortable and comfortable means of transportation. At the same time, the automatic transmission control option is available not only in premium-segment cars, but also in the simplest subcompacts such as Daewoo Matiz, Kia Picanto, etc. Moreover, even Russian manufacturers have started serial production of cars with robotic and Automatic transmissions. The lack of a third pedal in the steering column space greatly simplified the management of vehicles, especially people far from understanding how and by what means the car is set in motion and controlled.

How does the machine work?

Indeed, driving became much easier. I pressed one pedal - the car went, the other - the car stopped. In the simplest version, automatic transmission control is minimized. The Drive position (the Latin letter D on the selector) turns on the vehicle's forward driving mode, the Reverse position (Latin letter R) - back, the Parking position (Latin letter P) blocks the transfer of torque from the box to the differential and switches the gear to the parking mode ). However, even on such boxes there is a mode of switching on neutral transmission Neutral (the Latin letter N), in this connection many people have the question: is it necessary to include neutral on the machine and what is it for?

Manual transmission

To answer this question, it would be nice to understand what is the option of automatic gear changes and on what type of boxes it exists. In the classic version of driving, the driver decides whether to switch to an increased or lower gear. In this it helps the clutch pedal, which disconnects the drive and driven shaft of the box at the time of transition to a different transmission, and the gear lever, which it translates into the corresponding position chosen for transmission. Neutral transmission allows you to keep the shafts disconnected without a constant squeeze of the clutch pedal. "But that's mechanics, but do you need to include neutral on the machine?" You will ask again.

Neutral on the machine

In the classic automatic transmission (automatic gearbox), switching between gears occurs automatically, without the direct participation of the driver. This is facilitated by a special torque converter, whose operation in a modern box depends on many factors, including how often you transfer the selector to the neutral position of the transmission control. Practically all modern automatic transmissions are adaptable, that is adapting to a certain style of driving of the driver. Many people ask themselves: why, and why do you need a neutral on the machine, if there are already three positions for control (D, R, P)? The answer is pretty simple. Parking mode blocks the wheels of the car, making it impossible to move it in this mode, while the neutral simply disables the communication between the gearbox and the wheels. In this case, the car can be rolled, towed or run downhill from the hill in order to save fuel.

Robotic gearbox

Currently, there are several types of automatic gearbox. The interface of the robotic box differs little from the classical torque converter. The difference is hidden inside. Transmission in such a transmission for the driver switches a special robot when reaching a set of certain factors during the movement of the car. Is it necessary to include a neutral with an automatic machine of this type? If it is necessary, then yes. The procedure is the same as for the conventional automatic transmission. The difference between parking and neutral on automatic boxes of any type is unchanged. In the parking the wheels of the car will always be blocked in order to avoid spontaneous rollback.

Why do you need neutrals on the machine?

Unfortunately, the car does not always move itself. Minor breakdowns, accidents and accidents sometimes force drivers to use the services of a towing tow truck. You can evacuate a car in various ways: by direct towing (on a flexible or rigid coupler), as well as the method of full or partial loading. However, regardless of the method chosen, on a towed vehicle with an automatic gearbox it is necessary to break the direct connection between the wheels and the box before the towing begins. Otherwise, there is a real chance to damage the transmission, and the final bill for the repair of your favorite swallow can grow by an order of magnitude. The answer to the question of whether it is necessary to include a neutral on the car's automaton while towing it is clearly stated in the instruction manual for each vehicle. Important! It is necessary to move the box selector to the neutral position. Otherwise, the manufacturer withdraws its warranty in the event of a breakdown.

About the cost of fuel

The cost of fuel released at the gas station, every year, unfortunately, only grows. A few years ago, the government tried to link the annual increase in its value with the cancellation of the transport tax. Say that only those who use the car for their intended purpose are allowed to pay for road wear. And the more often a car would be used, the more his driver would pay, buying more gasoline needed for the car to go into motion. The idea is, in principle, remarkable, but the implementation podkachala. We wanted as best - it turned out as always. As a result, we have what we have, namely the increased cost of fuel and all the same transport tax in addition. Therefore, fuel economy is an important point in the modern operation of any vehicle.

For the sake of fuel economy

And how is the fuel economy associated with the neutral, and what will happen if you turn on the neutral on the automatic transmission when driving? Suffice it to recall the good old-fashioned way of free-running downhill from a hill or from any gentle descent. On Soviet cars with a manual gearbox for this simply turned off the gear, passing into neutral. On modern cars with automatic transmissions, you can act appropriately, that is, move the box selector to the neutral position (but not in the "Parking" position, remember this). If you leave the "Drive" mode while driving on a slope, the non-disconnected gearbox continues to rotate the output shaft of the engine, supporting the average (and sometimes quite high) rotation speed of the engine. This, accordingly, leads to an excess fuel consumption.

It is possible, but very carefully

Accordingly, with the opening of the direct connection between the box and the wheels, that is, when switching to neutral, the engine rotation speed falls to the minimum set (idle speed). At the same time, fuel consumption is reduced, which leads to savings. Therefore, the question of whether it is necessary to switch the automatic box to the neutral position while driving down the slope can be safely answered in the affirmative. The only thing that should not be forgotten is security. When switching from neutral to back to Drive, you must carefully switch the box selector to avoid erroneous switching to Reverse or Parking mode. At a minimum, this will lead to a serious breakdown of the transmission, and in the worst case - to a serious accident.

At the traffic lights

Is it possible to include a neutral transmission at the traffic lights? Of course, you can, that's just why? In this case, as well as in the "Drive", the driver will have to keep his foot on the brake pedal to prevent the car from rolling forward or backward. It is much more convenient to move the gear selector to the "Parking" position and relax your leg, letting it rest. Moreover, modern foreign cars offer the option of an electronic handbrake. The function is activated by pressing the button and holds the car in place in the "Drive" mode until the driver presses the gas pedal to continue driving. In such machines, theoretically, you can not switch the traffic modes until the end of the route.

In traffic jams

And whether it is necessary to include a neutral in the automatic transmission at traffic lights, especially when driving in traffic jams? Theoretically, it can be done, especially if the road goes downward, you do not plan to rebuild from row to row and do not go anywhere particularly. However, in doing so, you will have to constantly work the brake pedal, stopping the car, keeping it in place and after starting the movement, preventing it from accelerating particularly strongly. It should also be borne in mind that in this case the car will pick up speed very slowly (the smaller the slope, the slower), and the more brisk drivers will have the opportunity to wedge in front of you, again making you slow down. Yes, and this style of riding is unlikely to please some of your impatient neighbors on traffic, especially to those who are behind you.

In the parking lot

Many novice drivers are also interested in the question of whether it is possible to put on a neutral machine on the machine when parking a car? The answer to this question can be given both affirmative and negative. Answering the question to the question, we can say the following words: "Why put the car on a neutral transmission in the parking lot, because there is a mode of" Parking ", which is specially created for this?" People with experience, especially supporters of driving at the mechanic, will answer that, say, in the "parking" box is under load, but on the slope and generally holds the entire weight of the car on yourself. There is a positive answer for the adherents of this theory. Yes, you can park a car with a box in neutral, but do not forget to squeeze the handbrake so that it does not roll back to the neighbor in the parking lot, into the ditch or onto the roadway, creating an emergency situation with a possible traffic accident.

To leave on neutral?

The question is often asked: "There is a neutral transmission in the car, why do you need it?" How do I drive a car with neutral? Unequivocally you can answer that with the neutral switched on by car it will not be possible to go far. You can roll down the hill, pass a part of the way down, but in the end the speed drops to zero and the car stops. These are the laws of physics, and they will not be deceived. Neutral is only needed for the possibility of towing and free movement, usually with an inclined plane, and also to save fuel.