Should Neutral Gear Be Engaged at Red Lights During Subject Three?
3 Answers
During Subject Three, it is necessary to shift into neutral gear when stopping at a red light. Here are specific details about Subject Three: 1. Never look down at the gear shift: Especially during the 100-meter acceleration and deceleration exercise where shifting from 1st to 5th gear is required, always keep your eyes on the road ahead. Hold the steering wheel with your left hand and operate the gear shift with your right hand. Avoid looking down at the gear shift while changing gears. 2. Avoid incomplete gear engagement and coasting in neutral: When shifting gears, release the accelerator and press the brake. The brake must be fully depressed; if not, it may be difficult to engage the gear properly. Coasting in neutral will result in point deductions. If the gear is not firmly engaged, a sharp friction sound may occur. Failing to press the clutch pedal completely and attempting to re-engage the gear may lead to stalling.
When driving on city roads, I believe it's best not to shift into neutral at red lights. Keeping the car in D gear while holding the brake allows you to move forward immediately when the light turns green, eliminating the need to shift gears and significantly reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. In the driving test (Subject 3), examiners particularly value this kind of safe operation. If you start slowly from neutral, you might lose points, affecting your pass rate. A friend of mine failed the test because of this habit. Driving safety should always come first, and keeping the vehicle in drive mode ensures it can respond to emergencies at any time. Many modern cars come with automatic start-stop systems, which shut off the engine when stopped in D gear, saving fuel and being both eco-friendly and efficient. Developing good driving habits not only benefits you in tests but also makes daily driving more reassuring.
As an economical and environmentally conscious driver, I find it uneconomical to shift into neutral when stopping at a red light. Keeping the gear in D and applying the brake optimizes fuel consumption with stable engine speed control; shifting to neutral actually increases idle fuel consumption, which is detrimental to both your wallet and the environment. For the driving test (Subject 3), the standard procedure is to remain in D gear to avoid waste, aligning with energy-saving and emission-reduction principles. My experience shows that short red lights don’t require gear shifting at all, while for long stops, the auto start-stop system kicks in for more effective fuel savings. Driving isn’t just about test techniques—it’s a sustainable lifestyle. Proper throttle and brake control significantly impact fuel efficiency, and developing good habits saves both effort and resources.
