Is frequently shifting into neutral while your car is in motion bad?
What is your question?
My husband has owned both an old 1980s manual Chevy S10 and a mid-2000s automatic Jetta. I noticed in his first car that he would shift into neutral regularly. I didn’t think much of it because it was a rusted out old truck that was worth nothing. However, once he got his Jetta, the habit didn’t cease. He shifts into neutral any time he is not pressing the gas but the car is still moving: down hills, on flat roads, when coasting to a stop light, etc. I had always heard this was bad for automatic vehicles but he didn’t seem to heed my warning. Well a couple months ago we found out his engine is shot and we had to scrap his car altogether (mind you I have had my car for almost 10 years with no issues). We decided to upgrade and are getting a brand new 2021 automatic Chevy Blazer. I’m nervous if what I heard is true, he may continue the habit in the new car and hurt it also. Thus, I was curious, is it actually bad to put an automatic car in neutral that often?
Thanks so much!
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Hello, it's not necessarily "bad" but does put unnecessary stress on internal transmission components with engagement / disengagement of gears while the vehicle is moving especially. There is no benefit to shifting to neutral, to be sure. Your vehicle can utilize engine braking to slow the vehicle down while the vehicle is in gear and coasting, and is also available for emergency accelerating instantaneously when still in gear. You also get better fuel economy leaving the vehicle in gear.
