Should I still press the brake when shifting to N gear at a red light?
2 Answers
When shifting an automatic transmission to N gear at a red light, you should press the brake if you're concerned about the car rolling. For longer red lights, it's advisable to shift to N gear and engage the handbrake without pressing the brake pedal. More detailed explanations are as follows: 1. Gear selection for automatic cars at red lights: There are generally two correct ways to shift gears when waiting at a red light in an automatic car, depending on the duration of the red light, which typically ranges from 20 to 100 seconds. If the red light is less than 30 seconds, you can stay in D gear, press the brake, and release it to accelerate when the light turns green. For red lights longer than 30 seconds, it's better to shift from D to N gear and engage the handbrake without pressing the brake. Therefore, the gear selection can be determined based on the expected duration of the red light. 2. Explanation of pressing the brake in D gear: Temporarily stopping and pressing the brake while in D gear does not harm the car. This is because the torque converter in the transmission is equipped with a reaction wheel with a one-way clutch, which amplifies the torque from the engine crankshaft. It doesn't rotate at idle speed and only functions when the engine speed increases. Therefore, it's fine to press the brake at a red light, and shifting to N gear and engaging the handbrake is also acceptable. The advantage is that it allows the right foot to rest briefly and relax appropriately.
After driving for so many years, I shift to neutral at red lights to give the transmission a breather and avoid keeping it under constant tension. But honestly, I never dare to release the foot brake because even on flat ground, the car might creep forward slightly, especially when traffic behind is heavy. I remember once forgetting to press the brake firmly at a red light on a slope—the car rolled back over half a meter and nearly bumped into the car in front. That scared me into making it a habit: always press the foot brake when stopped—double safety brings peace of mind. Although idling in neutral saves a bit of fuel and money, safety is worth more than anything. With urban traffic so chaotic these days, a moment’s lapse can lead to an accident, so even if the red light is just 10 seconds, I keep my foot firmly on the brake. It’s also a chance to stretch my legs and relax a little.
