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Should I put my automatic car in neutral when stationary?

I have Mercedes E220 Blue Tec. I would like to know that whenever I am idling in stationary mode, should I dis-engage the gear to neutral, or should I simply keep my foot on the brake with the car in drive mode? I normally tend to put the car in neutral mode.

Asked on 17 January 2025 by Satpal Bhogal

Answered by David Ross
Generally speaking we would recommend shifting into Park and applying the handbrake when stationary. When stopped temporarily such as at a junction, you may wish to hold the vehicle on the footbrake with the gearlever remaining in Drive. Selecting Neutral when stopped does not result in any wear to the gearbox, as drive is disengaged. You can select Neutral when stopped in traffic, but selecting Park locks the gearbox so the driven wheels cannot rotate, which is a safer option in case your vehicle is involved in a collision. It is also more considerate to use the handbrake and Park or Neutral when stopped in traffic to avoid blinding drivers behind you with the brake lights, as explained in Rule 114 of the Highway Code.
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