Should I shift to N or P gear when waiting at a red light with an automatic transmission?
4 Answers
When waiting at a red light with an automatic transmission, you should shift to N gear. The reason is: the P gear in an automatic transmission vehicle is the parking gear, used for long-term parking, while the N gear is the neutral gear, used when the car is temporarily stopped and not moving. Automatic transmission refers to not requiring the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The correct method for parking an automatic transmission vehicle is: 1. Press the foot brake to stop the car; 2. Shift the gear from D to N; 3. Pull the handbrake and turn off the engine; 4. Release the foot brake without turning off the power; 5. Press the foot brake again and shift the gear from N to P; 6. Release the foot brake and turn the key back; 7. Turn off the power and remove the key.
I always shift to N gear when waiting at a red light while driving, for a simple reason: safety first. As a driver with over ten years of experience, I’ve seen several cases where cars in P gear suffered severe transmission damage when rear-ended, resulting in exorbitant repair costs. Waiting at a red light is a brief stop, and shifting to N gear puts the transmission in neutral, reducing mechanical wear. In case of a collision, the impact force won’t directly affect the transmission, protecting the vehicle. I recommend everyone adopt this practice and also engage the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling. This not only makes starting off easier but also extends the car’s lifespan. Never shift to P gear—that’s meant for long-term parking. After forming this habit, driving becomes much more reassuring.
I pay close attention to fuel efficiency and environmental protection while driving, so shifting to N (Neutral) gear at red lights is my preferred choice. This helps save some fuel because when in D (Drive) gear with the brake pressed, the engine still transmits power, consuming extra fuel. After switching to N gear, the engine idles with less load, resulting in higher fuel efficiency. Research data shows this can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by around 5%. As a young commuter, stopping at dozens of red lights for tens of seconds each day adds up to a significant impact. If the red light is exceptionally short, staying in D gear is acceptable, but N gear is still better. Don't forget to maintain your transmission regularly to ensure smooth operation. Developing this habit is also beneficial for the environment.
As a car enthusiast, I know that shifting to N gear at a red light is the most technically reasonable for automatic transmissions. P gear locks the transmission gears, making internal components prone to damage in a rear-end collision; N gear is a neutral state that disconnects the power link to protect the machinery. By design, it's suitable for brief stops, reducing transmission wear. In practice, it's simple—just press the brake and shift to N gear. If the vehicle has an auto start-stop system, using it in combination can shut off the engine for further fuel savings. From experience, I've learned that driving isn't just about pressing the accelerator; wisely using gears is crucial. Avoid shifting to P gear unless parking for an extended period.
