Should I Shift to Neutral (N) When Waiting at a Traffic Light?
3 Answers
Whether to shift to N gear depends on the situation. Specifically, it depends on the waiting time. Below are the scenarios based on the duration of waiting at a traffic light: 1. When the red light wait time is short: The car does not need to be shifted into N gear. Keeping the car in drive (D) while pressing the brake exerts some pressure on the transmission. 2. When the red light wait time is long: You can shift into N gear to give your tired feet a break. To avoid unnecessary issues, it's advisable to shift to N gear during prolonged traffic light waits. This not only saves fuel and reduces emissions but also makes the ride more comfortable and quieter for passengers.
I've been driving a taxi for over 20 years, and there are especially many traffic lights in the city. Whether to shift to N gear at red lights depends on the situation. For short waits of around ten seconds, just keep it in D gear and step on the brake for easy takeoff. If you encounter those long 99-second red lights, shifting to N gear and engaging the handbrake gives your foot a rest and is better for the transmission, as keeping the brake pressed for too long can easily raise the transmission fluid temperature. However, never just shift to N gear without engaging the handbrake on a slope—I once saw a car roll back and cause a rear-end collision. Actually, many new cars come with an automatic parking function, so you don't even have to worry about shifting gears.
As an auto repair shop owner, I deal with various transmission failures daily. Shifting to N gear at red lights for automatic transmission cars can reduce torque converter load, especially during summer traffic jams when keeping D gear while braking causes transmission fluid temperature to soar. However, shifting to N gear at every red light accelerates shift mechanism wear. I recommend only shifting to N gear for red lights exceeding 30 seconds, and always engage the handbrake afterward. Many modern cars have start-stop systems - if the engine shuts off, there's no need to shift gears. Regular maintenance should prioritize checking transmission fluid, which is far more important than obsessing over gear selection.
