ChocolateBabz

I only ask because I just noticed that mine seems superfluous to my needs

cindyabs

Yes, when idling for an extended period of time.

Sally Redux

There used to be a car wash near us that pulled you through on a track, you had to be in N.

srefre

Or when something goes wrong and you have to push the car!

Sally Redux

I put it in P - is N better?

cindyabs

Depends on if you're idling on an incline.

ChocolateBabz

Yeah I use P or just sit with my foot on the brake - just wondered if I was doing something wrong ? I also have an S for sport and I don't use that either

cindyabs

Hopefully this will never happen to you, but-

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/car...your-life.html

Nutmegger

Many years ago my new boyfriend (now husband!) asked me to move his car for "alternate side" in NYC as he was going to be out of town. I had never driven an automatic in my life and figured that you always had to start a car in neutral. So I put it in N and turned it over -- and over and over. Nothing. In the end I stuck it back in park and gave it one last try. Bingo! So that's when I learned that neutral on an automatic doesn't have too many uses.

Noorah101

Yep, this is the only time I use N.

Rene

chartreuse

I used it once, by mistake. Sat there wondering why I wasn't moving...

Brit3964

I like it. A good random "off-the-wall" question

I'll sometimes use it if idling for long periods, like when stuck in traffic. Make sure you put the handbrake on too 'cos otherwise it could roll. An added bonus, it also reduces the wear on the brake lights.

Macca67

Two main functions:

a. Additional selection other than 'P' for starting the engine,

b. Selecting 'N' disengages transmission from the wheels completely and allows the vehicle to move under it's own momentum. Therefore, if you need to dispose of anything hidden in the boot of the car, say, down a slip-ramp into a murky river or lake - you would select 'N'

cindyabs

er thanks, I think..............

Englishman in Eugene

I use N all the time, whenever I don't need the engine to be pushing the car forward, either slowing for lights ahead or stopped at lights. I put the transmission back in D when the lights go green.