Is the Electronic Handbrake Necessary When in N Gear at a Red Light?
2 Answers
When stopping at a red light in N gear, it is essential to engage the handbrake. Below is relevant information about automatic transmission vehicles: N Gear and Braking: When the vehicle is in N gear, it directly cuts off power output. Engaging the handbrake is safer, eliminating concerns about the vehicle rolling backward or other incidents. If not in N gear, simply pressing the brake pedal is sufficient. In this scenario, the engine continues to operate, with the friction plate on the engine side remaining idle. Handbrake Overview: The handbrake, professionally termed as an auxiliary brake, differs in principle from the main brake. It utilizes a steel cable connected to the rear brake shoes to apply braking force. Prolonged use of the handbrake can lead to plastic deformation of the steel cable. Since this deformation is irreversible, extended use may reduce its effectiveness and increase the handbrake's travel distance.
As a veteran driver with 10 years of experience driving automatic transmission cars, whether to engage the handbrake when shifting to N gear at a red light depends on the situation. If it's just a 10-second wait, keeping your foot on the brake is sufficient—frequently engaging and releasing the handbrake actually wears out the motor faster. But if the red light lasts more than half a minute, or if you're stopped at an intersection with a slight slope, I always activate the electronic handbrake without hesitation. Last time at a major downtown intersection with a 90-second red light, I shifted to N gear without engaging the handbrake and got lightly rear-ended—though it was just some paint damage, it gave me a real scare as the transmission can actually roll! Now I've developed a habit: whenever I shift to N gear at a light, my right hand instinctively touches the electronic handbrake button, as naturally as fastening the seatbelt.
