Can You Shift to Neutral (N) Gear at a Red Light?
4 Answers
If the red light lasts for a long time, you can shift to neutral (N) gear; if it's short, you can stay in drive (D) gear. The gears of an automatic transmission car are: 1. P gear is the parking gear; 2. R gear is the reverse gear; 3. N gear is the neutral gear; 4. D gear is the drive gear; 5. S gear is the sport mode. The automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. The method to start an automatic transmission car is: 1. Sit in the driver's seat and press the start button, the ACC light will turn on; 2. Press the start button again for the vehicle to perform a self-check; 3. Press the brake and press the start button to ignite and start; 4. Press the foot brake, shift to D gear, and release the handbrake.
Shifting to N gear at red lights is completely fine. I've been doing this for over a decade of driving. Putting the car in N gear allows the transmission to rest temporarily, avoiding unnecessary load when braking in D gear, especially during prolonged waits in urban traffic jams. However, safety should be noted—on steep slopes or uneven roads, shifting to N gear might cause the car to roll, so it's best to use the handbrake together. Additionally, shifting to N gear slightly improves fuel economy as it reduces engine load, but the fuel-saving effect is minimal and not as good as turning off the engine directly. Personally, I recommend staying in D gear and braking for short red lights, and shifting to N gear only for long red lights exceeding 30 seconds. This balances car protection and safety.
Shifting to N gear at red lights is a good habit, which is how I usually drive. From a mechanical perspective, the power transmission in an automatic transmission isn't disconnected in D gear, so shifting to N gear can reduce gear wear and prolong its lifespan. Especially for older models, frequent braking in D gear may cause overheating. However, don't rely on it too much, as shifting to N gear increases the risk if rear-ended or accidentally moved. Many new cars now come with auto start-stop functionality; the engine shuts off when in D gear with the brake pressed, saving more fuel and hassle. Overall, choose flexibly based on waiting time, with safety as the top priority.
As an ordinary car owner, I find shifting to N (Neutral) gear at red lights quite practical. It helps reduce foot fatigue since you don't have to keep pressing the brake pedal, especially during long red lights. From a fuel consumption perspective, N gear saves a bit more fuel than D (Drive) gear because the engine load is lighter, though the difference is minimal in modern vehicles. It's important to note that the car might roll when in N gear, especially on slopes, so it's best to engage the handbrake for safety. Overall, this isn't mandatory, but occasional use is fine—just don't overdo it.
