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I always assumed that my engine would do less work in N (neutral) than in D (drive). However, I tried a little experiment. My car wasn't moving, my foot is on the brake, and I have in D. I then switch to N, and to my shock, the RPM goes up! (Granted, it just went up by a little)

Doesn't this mean the engine is doing more work? Why would the engine do more work in N?

In all of the cars that I drove previously, the RPM always decrease in N. This is the first time I observed the opposite. (It is also the first time I'm driving a CVT (Continuous Variable Transimission), so I don't know if that has anything to do with it)

Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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V Maharajh
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1 Answers1

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A slight RPM increase when shifting from "D" to neutral is normal. The reason for this is the engaged transmission is putting a slight load on the engine and slowing it down. In neutral the engine is doing less work because it is not trying to turn the drivetrain.

mikes
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