What's N for on a CVT?

[Extreme_One]

I can't think of a reason I would need to use N ...

 

The only thing I can conceivably think of is if I'm being towed???

 

[flash22]

Neutral has its uses, NEVER flat tow a hybrid the front wheels need to be off the ground

[Extreme_One]

3 minutes ago, flash22 said:

Neutral has its uses

Such as ... ?

 

[Roker]

11 minutes ago, flash22 said:

Neutral has its uses, NEVER flat tow a hybrid the front wheels need to be off the ground

Why, I coast my hybrid of the drive everyday in N it's disconnected from the drive

[TonyHSD]

N is for loading purposes only and for an emergency situations like when the car detects drive train abnormalities or you lost control and spun on the road , things like that. Not to be used in normal driving conditions. One time you can switch to N and slow down on brakes alone to clear the disc from rust for example but if you stop quickly in D you still gonna use actual brakes so not necessary to use N. 

[Cyker]

46 minutes ago, Extreme_One said:

I can't think of a reason I would need to use N ...

 

The only thing I can conceivably think of is if I'm being towed???

 

In normal cars, N is useful as it disconnects the drivetrain from the wheels, which is useful in emergency situations or if you need to push/tow/roll the car.

It's also the recommended gear to be in when stationary in traffic (Handbrake + Neutral), not that 99% of drivers do this.

However, it's different for our hybrids, and generally N should not be used at all except in very unusual circumstances.

In our hybrids, I think it's there for compliance reasons (e.g. some law saying cars must have a neutral) as it basically doesn't do anything in Toyota hybrids - One unusual thing about the way the Toyota hybrid system works is the engine and wheels are ALWAYS engaged - Even N does NOT disconnect them, it just 'fakes' a neutral by cutting power to the electric motors so the car kinda free-wheels, but everything is still connected together. There are no clutches or interlocks that can be used to disengage the engine and motors from the wheels, they are permanently connected together, so it is a bit pointless.

In fact, it's even a bit dangerous with our hybrids, as freewheeling in N for extended periods or high speeds has a remote chance of damaging the hybrid system, and leaving it in N for a long time can deplete the traction Battery (The car cannot charge the traction Battery in N) to the point that it will brick the car.

The car will complain repeatedly and beep obnoxiously tell you to put it in P or D if you leave it in N for too long to prevent this however.

 

[Derek.w]

You may use nutral in a emergency like throttle stuck wide open or how about you slide off the road and your frends push you back onto it.

[fred88]

Don't use it very often but had to put it in neutral once for one of those car washes where the car moves through the brushes. 

[Saxmaniac]

There's a max speed above which the car will be damaged if moved in N, as drivetrain is always connected, MG1 is spinning when car moves in N. If it moves over a certain speed, MG1 over revs. Can't remember actual speed, it's different on the various generations, more than 15mph anyway 

[flash22]

Oil flow and the cooling are big factors in not using N for anything above 3-5 mph, also in Neutral you have reduced control and the system is not Charing either Battery

[2badmice]

On 12/17/2023 at 1:33 AM, fred88 said:

Don't use it very often but had to put it in neutral once for one of those car washes where the car moves through the brushes. 

Your poor paintwork 

[jthspace]

Quote Cyker

It's also the recommended gear to be in when stationary in traffic (Handbrake + Neutral), not that 99% of drivers do this.

Unquote

Often get caught at the level crossing and if its a two-way wait, it can be more than 5 minutes.  Using "Hold" I'm blinding the guy behind, use "hand brake" and the car is going nose up.

If its a short hold up, I'll use Hand brake + N, medium hold up, I'll use Hand brake and P, long wait, I'll turn the car off.

[bigblock]

If I need to wait  a while I just go into P. Handbrake comes on automatically. I don't need to touch any buttons. No rear brake lights on either. So easy.