Accidentally Shifted from Drive to Neutral

unlogic · Jan 5, 2015

My car is a 2010 Kia Forte with an automatic transmission.

I was turning right at a 4 way intersection, so my speed was probably more or less at 25 mph (maybe even less, I don't know the exact number). Regardless, it was enough to tip my water jug that was on the passenger side (amongst other stuff) and the jug hit the transmission stick.

I straightened the jug and didn't think much of it until I pressed on the accelerator but all the car did was rev. It was slowing down and not gaining speed. I quickly realized that the transmission was in neutral.

I pressed the brakes and shifted it back to drive and the car moved forward. I didn't notice anything odd because the speed limit allowed was only 30 mph.

Reading this Popular Mechanics article, it says that I shouldn't worry too much and that there are protections in place, but I'm unsure if there applicable to a Kia Forte. http://www.popularmechanics.com/_mo...ir/if-you-shift-an-automatic-while-driving-will-you-damage-your-engine-11413677

Any thoughts on whether I should be worried for accidentally shifting to Neutral from Drive while moving?

RedzKoup · Jan 5, 2015

Of all the automatic vehicles I've owned, I've never had that cause any problems. In fact, I used to put my car in neutral when going down long steep hills just to coast, no problem at all. Most vehicles won't even require you to use the shift lock (the button on the shift knob) to move from drive to neutral. I wouldn't worry about it.

Kuffuffled · Jan 5, 2015

Try reverse next time

Sinnah · Jan 8, 2015

Yea, shifting into reverse at 30mph should be fun.

KDM · Jan 8, 2015

You have nothing to worry about lol. Unless when you shifted into drive and you were still at like 5k rpms. Then ur tranny would take a hit. But actually entering meets coming to a stop, I'll throw it in neutral and rev it. Nothing wrong with that unless something like what i said above happens.

Accidentally Shifted from Drive to Neutral

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