How to Stop at a Red Light with an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
The methods for stopping at a red light with an automatic transmission are: 1. For short waits at a red light, you can simply step on the brake; 2. For longer waits at a red light, shift to N (Neutral) and engage the handbrake. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The starting procedure is: 1. Sit in the driver's seat and press the start button, the ACC light will illuminate; 2. Press the start button again for the vehicle to perform a self-check; 3. Depress the brake and press the start button to ignite and start the engine; 4. Depress the foot brake, shift to D (Drive), and release the handbrake. The gears of an automatic transmission are: 1. P (Park) is the parking gear, also the starting gear; 2. R (Reverse) is the reverse gear; 3. N (Neutral) is the neutral gear; 4. D (Drive) is the forward gear, also known as the driving gear; 5. L (Low) is the low-speed gear; 6. S (Sport) is the sport mode.
When I drive an automatic transmission car in the city and encounter a red light, I usually press the brake pedal to bring the car to a smooth stop, keeping the gear in D (Drive) without changing it. This way, as soon as the light turns green, releasing the brake allows for an immediate start, which is particularly convenient. If the red light lasts especially long, say more than 30 seconds, I prefer to shift to N (Neutral), engage the handbrake, and relax my foot to avoid fatigue from pressing the brake pedal. However, when starting again, it's crucial to remember: first shift the gear back to D before releasing the handbrake and the brake pedal. Never shift to P (Park), because if the car is rear-ended, the transmission could be damaged, leading to expensive repairs. My years of driving experience have proven this method to be both safe and efficient, avoiding unnecessary gear shifting and potential accidents. In summary, using D with the brake pedal is the preferred choice, N with the handbrake for long stops, and absolutely avoiding P is the way to go.
