Should I Shift to N Gear and Brake at a Red Light in an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
When waiting at a red light in an automatic transmission car, you do not need to shift to N gear and brake. If the red light wait time is less than 30 seconds, simply keep the car in D gear without shifting, apply the brake, and release it to press the accelerator when the light turns green. For red light waits exceeding 30 seconds, avoid staying in D gear; instead, shift from D to N gear, engage the handbrake, and there's no need to keep pressing the brake. The N gear is the neutral gear, equivalent to the neutral in manual transmissions, suitable for short stops. Shifting into N gear completely separates the engine from the driveshaft at the transmission point, cutting off engine power while allowing the transmission to operate normally. In terms of gear positions: P stands for Park; R for Reverse; N for Neutral; and D for Drive.
I learned from my driving instructor that shifting to N (neutral) and stepping on the brake at red lights makes a lot of sense. Putting the car in N gear temporarily disconnects the transmission, reducing the load on the torque converter. Otherwise, if you keep it in D (drive) while braking, the engine continues to drive, causing the transmission to constantly heat up, which can lead to wear or overheating issues. Stepping on the brake is essential to prevent the car from rolling and causing an accident. After forming this habit, I noticed my car became more durable, especially during frequent stops in traffic jams—shifting to N gear also slightly improves fuel efficiency. For red lights shorter than 10 seconds, staying in D gear is fine; but for longer waits, switching to N gear is safer and more reliable, protecting the vehicle's core components in the long run.
As a car enthusiast, I've studied transmission mechanisms, and shifting to Neutral (N) while braking at red lights is a wise choice. Engaging N disconnects the engine from the transmission, preventing torque converter idling in Drive (D), which reduces unnecessary wear and fuel consumption; braking ensures the vehicle remains stationary, preventing forward lurch risks. While some cars are designed to tolerate brief D-gear stops, long-term habits may accelerate component aging. My testing revealed that holding D-gear while braking for over 30 seconds significantly increases temperature. Thus, I've developed this practice: gently shifting gears—minimal effort that extends vehicle lifespan while maintaining overall driving smoothness.
