Is It Necessary to Shift to Neutral (N) Gear at Traffic Lights?

[CassandraDella]

When waiting at traffic lights, it is recommended to shift to neutral (N) gear. For brief stops, first press the brake pedal, then shift from D to N gear, engage the handbrake, and release the foot brake. When resuming driving, press the brake pedal again, release the handbrake, shift from N to D gear, and release the brake to move forward. Keeping the car stationary by pressing the brake may cause slight vibrations, which disappear when shifting back to neutral. This method allows the engine to rest slightly, gives your feet a break, and prevents potential transmission damage in case of a rear-end collision. Below is an introduction to automatic transmission gear positions: 1. P (Park) gear is used when turning off the engine or when the vehicle is stationary; 2. R (Reverse) gear is for reversing and should only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stationary; 3. N (Neutral) gear is used when pausing the vehicle, but the brake must be pressed on slopes; 4. D (Drive) gear is for normal driving, automatically selecting the appropriate gear based on road conditions and load; 5. L (Low) gear, also known as the climbing gear, limits the automatic shifting range to increase torque and deliver greater power.

[ODeclan]

I find that whether to shift into N gear at a red light depends on the duration of the light and personal driving habits. If the light is very short, only about ten seconds, I usually stay in D gear and press the brake. This way, I can start directly by pressing the accelerator, which is convenient and quick, and won’t cause significant damage to the transmission. Modern cars are designed intelligently, and idling in D gear for a short time won’t burn out components. However, if the light is long, over half a minute—like at a major intersection with an extended red light—I shift into N gear. This reduces pressure inside the transmission, minimizes minor wear, and prevents oil temperature from rising excessively and causing issues. Shifting into N gear also makes the engine idle more fuel-efficient, though the savings are small, around 0.1 liters, but it’s beneficial for long-term driving. Safety-wise, it’s important to note that if you shift into N gear on an incline and forget to engage the handbrake, the car might roll, so staying in D gear with the brake pressed is more secure. Overall, there’s no strict rule requiring you to shift into N gear—just adjust based on the actual light duration. This way, you protect your car and drive with peace of mind.

[LaLuke]

When driving in the city, traffic lights are frequent, and I generally don't bother shifting to N (Neutral) too often. Keeping it in D (Drive) and stepping on the brake is the simplest way—once the car stops, you can immediately move when the light turns green, avoiding wasted time from shifting. If you shift back and forth at every short light, it just adds unnecessary workload, especially during traffic jams where frequent shifting can be tiring. For long red lights, say over 30 seconds, I do shift to N to give my foot a break—otherwise, holding the brake in D for too long can cause leg fatigue. When shifting to N, remember to check the handbrake to prevent rolling on slopes. Additionally, many modern cars have auto start-stop systems that restart automatically while in D, so shifting to N might actually disable this feature—meaning you should adjust based on your car's behavior. Ultimately, from a practical standpoint, there's no need to force N usage—doing what's most convenient is the best strategy.

[ChloeLynn]

From a fuel-saving perspective, shifting to N gear at traffic lights can slightly reduce fuel consumption. In D gear, the engine must maintain the transmission's creep state, resulting in slightly higher idle fuel consumption; in N gear, the engine load is lighter, saving about 0.1 liters of fuel. However, the effect is minimal, especially during short light changes, which might consume more. Therefore, for lights shorter than 20 seconds, it's unnecessary to shift—keeping it in D gear with brakes applied is more economical. For lights longer than 30 seconds, shifting to N gear is worthwhile, saving fuel and protecting the transmission. Additionally, pairing with the auto start-stop function to prioritize engine shutdown offers dual energy savings, helping to cut small costs in car maintenance.