Dumb question - when do you use N in an auto?
Discussion
I have a 2004 Merc C180 auto, which if you leave in D and put the handbrake on, will actively fight against the handbrake to creep forwards. My 2014 Merc (also a C-class), did the same thing, but had a hold function where if you pressed the brake all the way down when stopped, it'd keep you stationary without any manual intervention. However it did also leave the brake lights on, and the big row of brake lights at the top of the rear windscreen looked like they'd really p
s off drivers behind me when it was dark. I also drove a 2016 Merc C-class which had a more clever gearbox, where you could either use the hold function, or just engage the electronic handbrake while leaving the car in D, and it'd sit still with no brake lights on until you pressed the accelerator.
Interesting evolution through 3 generations of identical car.
s off drivers behind me when it was dark. I also drove a 2016 Merc C-class which had a more clever gearbox, where you could either use the hold function, or just engage the electronic handbrake while leaving the car in D, and it'd sit still with no brake lights on until you pressed the accelerator.Interesting evolution through 3 generations of identical car.
DapperDanMan said:
Parking on a slope I put it in Neutral and apply the hand brake and allow the car to rest on the brake. I then put it in Park. No strain on the parking lock of the gearbox then.
I drove an a8 once that was cutting out at idle whilst driving, bit of a tired moment and instead of putting it into N to restart the engine I whacked it into P whilst still moving 
it went in and the parking pawl engaged much to the surprise of the people behind me as all 4 wheels locked up, luckily I was only going maybe 10mph but I poo’d my pants, it felt horrible and I’d not like to experience it again, just shows how strong the parking pawl is though When you brake to a stop in almost any automatic bus or lorry, it goes into neutral after a second or so, and you feel it stop trying to tug against the brake. When you try driving off it re-engages the gear, nearly seamlessly.
I've never understood why automatic cars don't do the same.
I've never understood why automatic cars don't do the same.
Curtailment said:
When you brake to a stop in almost any automatic bus or lorry, it goes into neutral after a second or so, and you feel it stop trying to tug against the brake. When you try driving off it re-engages the gear, nearly seamlessly.
I've never understood why automatic cars don't do the same.
Depending on programming a ZF 8HP can do this even it shows D to the driver.I've never understood why automatic cars don't do the same.
Auto hold i use regularly to save my foot on the brake. As said above various ones keep the brake lights on. I think some of that depends on operation as i think some use the hand brake others just the normal brakes.
All i know it is bloody seamless. I then turn AH off for low speed parking bits to allow creep from the TC.
Dont think i have ever used neutral to be quite honest!
Burnzyb said:
I drove an a8 once that was cutting out at idle whilst driving, bit of a tired moment and instead of putting it into N to restart the engine I whacked it into P whilst still moving it went in and the parking pawl engaged much to the surprise of the people behind me as all 4 wheels locked up, luckily I was only going maybe 10mph but I poo’d my pants, it felt horrible and I’d not like to experience it again, just shows how strong the parking pawl is though
Reassuring, I went into park at about 3mph last week and it just stopped dead. I have a hybrid so park is just a button. Quite easy to go into park and then get back into drive while at lights. If you press the brake lightly it will hold but will be using the electric motor to fight against it, which is just wasting power. If you almost stand on the brake it will stop fighting it. it went in and the parking pawl engaged much to the surprise of the people behind me as all 4 wheels locked up, luckily I was only going maybe 10mph but I poo’d my pants, it felt horrible and I’d not like to experience it again, just shows how strong the parking pawl is though Haven't used neutral but I think it just has to be there by law and for towing. I would probably use it at lights in a normal auto as you end up flashing the reverse lights going from park to drive otherwise.
Burwood said:
Who puts their auto in Park and doesn’t use the electronic/hand brake? My FIL does this. Can’t be good for the car. It creates a back and forth lurching effect.
Yes me and I’ve never had a lunched gearbox or engine in the 12 autos I’ve had and over 240,000 milesMost autos Ive had have been rock solid into park and it’s only my wife’s Murano that rocks a bit - 40,000 miles in with that and no noticeable issues with regards not using the parking brake
Conscript said:
sitting still in a manual car with your foot on the clutch and first gear engaged, which I, and I'm sure others, were taught not to do (for safety reasons as well as mechanical sympathy). .
Bizarrely, our youngest has been taught by his instructor to do exactly this. I hate it, and once he has passed his test (if he ever does, attempt 5 coming up) I will insist he does it properly when driving my car.
Thing is, he failed one test because he forgot to take it out of gear when he lifted the clutch.
Lozw86 said:
I press P for park when stationary in traffic as this holds the car still. N would allow it to roll on an incline
I guess you would use N if the car was being towed?
Ah sI guess you would use N if the car was being towed?
t, just when you think a thread couldn't get any worse Its really not recommended to tow an auto, although you could, you shouldn't go over 25mph.
Edited by curlie467 on Sunday 22 July 11:06
curlie467 said:
Lozw86 said:
I press P for park when stationary in traffic as this holds the car still. N would allow it to roll on an incline
I guess you would use N if the car was being towed?
Ah sI guess you would use N if the car was being towed?
t, just when you think a thread couldn't get any worse Its really not recommended to tow an auto, although you could, you shouldn't go over 25mph.
Edited by curlie467 on Sunday 22 July 11:06
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