Driving & Driving Test Tips: question about driving, brake shoes, brake fade

Question
Hi, I have a question.When I drive, sometimes I like to but the car in neutral and when i need to accelerate, I put it back in drive. I was wondering if It was bad for the car. it's an automatic

Answer
Dear Joe,

I am not sure if it is bad for the car to be in neutral as I am not a mechanic, but it could be bad for you as when the engine is in gear you have more control over the vehicle. The engine can help when braking and if in neutral all of the effort is done by the brake shoes. It is more likely than you will lose control or suffer from brake fade. Also imagine if you had to accelerate in an emergency. The time it takes to put the vehicle in drive could be the difference between hit and miss. I do not recomend coasting in neutral.

Paul.