How to Stop an Automatic Car at a Red Light?
2 Answers
Methods for stopping an automatic car at a red light: Simply press the brake pedal. However, if the stopping time exceeds 2 minutes, you should shift to N (Neutral) gear to protect the transmission and prevent the transmission fluid from overheating. If the stopping time exceeds 5 minutes, it's best to turn off the engine and shift to P (Park) gear. Automatic cars have P, R (Reverse), N, and D (Drive) gears. When driving on flat urban roads, always keep the gear in D, as the automatic transmission will shift between the four forward gears automatically without requiring additional manual operation. When accelerating from a stop, avoid pressing the accelerator pedal too hard and holding it down, as this will only increase the engine RPM, causing excessive noise and wear on the transmission. Instead, gently press the accelerator to utilize low-speed downshifting for increased torque and gradual, even acceleration. Once the speed increases, you can then accelerate further. This method will make driving an automatic car feel smoother.
As a seasoned Didi driver with over a decade of experience driving automatics, I'm quite the authority on red light stops. For brief stops, there's no need to shift gears—just keep it in D and hold the brake; transmissions aren't that delicate. If the red light lasts over 60 seconds, shifting to N and engaging the handbrake saves fuel and gives your right foot a break. Always remember the handbrake! Last week at an intersection, a car rolled back and bumped into another because the handbrake wasn't on. On slopes, especially, pull the handbrake tight before shifting to N—some drivers use P at red lights, but a rear-end collision could wreck the transmission gears. Cars with electronic handbrakes can simply press the brake firmly to activate AutoHold for convenience, then press the gas to go when the light turns green. For cars with start-stop systems, keep the AC on to prevent the engine from restarting too often in hot weather.
