While driving my car, I accidentally changed the transmission lever to "N" (Neutral) from "D" (Drive) (out of panic). I tried driving my car for a few feet, with lots of screeching and the tachometer showing quite high RPMs, when I realized what had happened. I quickly changed it back to "D" and was able to drive smoothly back home.
Is there anything I should be worried about ? What happens internally, in the car, when you try to drive it with "N" transmission level ? Should I get something checked for damage etc. ? I have automatic transmission in my Toyota Camry '96 sedan.
2006-12-27 17:18:38 · 19 answers · asked by techieguy 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No worries and don't panic. All you did was divert the transmission oil from one path to another. This effectively released the oil pressure from the clutches of the gear it was in so it actually was not in any gear and the motor would be freewheeling, hence the high revs. Once you shift back into a gear which supplies pressure to one gear or another, all is normal again. The only thing that would not be cool to do is to rev the motor up and then engage the transmission into a gear as this can cause severe damage to lots of internal components of the trans., motor, and other driveline parts. While the motor is idling, switch the trans. through all its gear selections and check the fluid by removing the dipswitch and wiping it off. Then re-insert and check the fluid for color and level. The level should be at the indicated spot on the dipstick and it will be written on it. The color is usually a bright red with no bits or floating parts in it. Touch a little to your finger and look at it in the light. Hope that helps.
2006-12-27 17:28:26 · answer #1 · answered by Deano 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When your transmission is in neutral, it is easier to get high RPM because there is no resistance from the gear box to slow the engine down.
Ordinarily, this will not cause any real problem, so long as it is not prolonged. I occasionally will put the car in neutral or park and give it full throttle in short pulses while doing maintenance on the engine.
A screeching sound under these conditions may be a sign of a loose or worn fanbelt. You may want to have that looked at though.
2006-12-28 01:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by Daniel E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is actually designed into the car by the engineers. Cars are meant to go from Drive to Neutral for instances when you need to take power away from the wheels immediately, such as when you skid on ice. All that will happen is that your transmission will shift from the drive gear that you were in (dependant on your speed) to no gear. The lack of resistance from no gear will cause the engine to rev, and if you hold the gas you will blow the engine. However, if you take your foot off the gas, and allow the engine revolutions to decline there should not be an issue. Just try not to do it all the time. High revs are bad for the engine.
2006-12-28 01:23:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry, you can not damage the tranny just by shifting to N from D while driving. Actually the cars are designed so you have this option (like neutral of a stick shift). As long as the engine is running, the transm. can maintain proper oil pressure and no damage can be caused. N means neutral, so there is no gear engagement, you van't drive the can in N. This is why the RPM was high.
2006-12-28 01:24:50 · answer #4 · answered by jahun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's nothng to worry about and nothing that you need to have checked. By putting the car in neutral you simply disengaged the transmission. This is why the RPMs shot up as you were still pushing on the accelerator while there was no load on the engine from propelling the car.
2006-12-28 01:24:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were you going down hill? that's pretty much the only way you could really go long distance in neutral. many people switch back and forth from neutral to drive when showing off engines. There is nothing wrong with your car and you have a toyota even better. You car is good and are you no worries ok.
2006-12-28 01:23:27 · answer #6 · answered by tlz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry about it. If you knew how to drive manual, you would not be stressing. The RPMs were going up because you still had your foot on the gas. Sort of like when you are in park and you press the gas.
There was no damage and no need for concern. If you threw it into reverse...that would be a whole different story...only try that with a rented car :)
2006-12-28 01:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing, until you red lined it.... thats when the screeching sound came about. Have it checked out, It is an older vehilce and may be ok, because newer engines that haven't been broken in can be damaged in this scenario.
2006-12-28 01:22:03 · answer #8 · answered by Achilles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. If you went from D to R you could drop your whole tranny, but D to N just makes it so your gas just revving the engine rather than turning wheels. N takes it out of gear.
2006-12-28 01:21:41 · answer #9 · answered by lots-a-questions 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont think there should be anything wrong it happens to the best of us. Ive had that happen to me and car is still going with no problems
2006-12-28 01:27:04 · answer #10 · answered by Big Daddy 818 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋