Can you put a car in neutral without starting it?

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asked Sep 13, 2019 in Other-Cars/Transportation by wagne223 (320 points)
Can you put a car in neutral without starting it?

1 Answer

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answered Sep 14, 2019 by Essmann (42,860 points)
As long as you have the key to turn the ignition then yes you can put the car in neutral or other gears even without starting the car.

All you need to do is put the ignition in the run position and unlock the steering wheel and after that the shift knob should move for the transmission.

If it's an electronic transmission then you might have to start the car to put it in neutral depending on the car or other vehicle.

Usually though you can still just put it in neutral as long as it has power to the ignition to operate the electronic transmission shifting mechanism.

Older cars that have the shift lever on the steering column or in the middle of the floor you should also be able to shift the car into neutral without starting the car as long as you turn the key to the on or run position to unlock the steering wheel.

I've always been able to shift a car or truck I've owned into neutral without starting the vehicle so it's possible.

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