How to Stop an Automatic Transmission Car at a Red Light?

[VanLeonardo]

There are two methods for stopping an automatic transmission car at a red light: shifting to neutral and applying the handbrake, or staying in D gear while pressing the brake pedal. The neutral and handbrake method is suitable when the light has just turned red or there is a long remaining time, as shifting to neutral cuts off engine power, and the handbrake prevents the vehicle from moving. The D gear and brake method is ideal when the light is about to turn green in a few seconds or during stop-and-go traffic, allowing for quick acceleration without frequent gear changes. Here are some precautions for stopping at a red light: 1. Do not shift to P gear at a red light: If the car behind fails to react in time, shifting to P gear could result in a rear-end collision. 2. Avoid staying in D gear with the brake pressed for too long: In automatic transmission vehicles with a torque converter, staying in D gear while braking causes the engine's power to be absorbed by the torque converter, raising its temperature. For dual-clutch transmissions, the clutch remains in a semi-engaged state, leading to slippage and temperature increase.