When a vehicle comes to a stop, the instinct might be to switch the transmission into neutral, N, or to press the clutch pedal. This seems obvious in many driving guides, yet an experienced commentator often cautions otherwise, especially for cars with an automatic transmission. In such manuals, the safe practice is to leave the selector in drive or to engage parking only after the engine is secured. This is a reminder that preserving the gear system depends on understanding how the transmission operates under load and what each position accomplishes in practical driving scenarios.
In everyday traffic, the car remains stationary thanks to the brake pedal. In this situation, in the drive position, the vehicle can remain idle in traffic jams for extended periods simply by applying the brake. Some drivers believe that periodically shifting from D to P or even to N can extend the life of the vehicle, especially in stop-and-go conditions. However, this belief isn’t supported by mechanical reasoning. Frequent changes between drive, park, and neutral place extra strain on the transmission seals and linkages and can introduce unnecessary wear rather than help the car’s longevity.
The reality is that switching too often between automatic transmission modes tends to accelerate wear rather than alleviate it. The engine itself is also affected: the regular idle speed in D is typically higher, often around 900 revolutions per minute, compared with about 700 RPM in a more economical idle. When the gearbox has to act quickly or when the vehicle needs power at low speed, the engine must respond with extra effort. This added workload happens even if it is brief, and over time it adds up, contributing to more frequent idling stress on the components involved.
Therefore, the prudent approach is to use the parking position only when the engine is turned off. The neutral position, while sometimes tempting for short, low-speed movements, is not intended for everyday parking or for keeping the vehicle ready to move. It is more appropriate for situations such as towing a disabled car briefly or moving a vehicle at very low speeds under controlled circumstances. In routine driving, keeping the transmission in D or, when necessary, applying the brake to remain stationary, is a safer and more efficient practice that reduces unnecessary wear and helps maintain optimal transmission health over time.