Should You Shift to N Gear at Traffic Lights?
3 Answers
Shifting to N gear at traffic lights is unnecessary, depending on the waiting time. Here are the scenarios for different durations of waiting at traffic lights: 1. When the red light wait time is short: There's no need to shift to N gear. Keeping the car in drive while pressing the brake exerts some pressure on the transmission. 2. When the red light wait time is long: You can shift to N gear to relieve your tired feet. To avoid unnecessary situations, 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.
Whether to shift to neutral (N) at a red light depends on habits and situations. I've always driven automatic transmission cars. For short red lights, I stay in drive (D) with the brake pedal pressed—it's convenient and prevents rolling. Shifting to N may slightly reduce fuel consumption as engine RPM drops, but the savings are negligible and offset within a few kilometers of driving. Safety is crucial: in D, the car has engine braking, so even if the brakes fail, the vehicle won't slide uncontrollably. In N, you rely entirely on the brakes, which is riskier, especially on slopes. Some say N gives their foot a rest, but frequent gear shifts wear components and require extra attention to shift back to D, potentially delaying acceleration and annoying drivers behind. After 20+ years of driving, I recommend staying in D with the brake pressed—it's safer and simpler for most scenarios. Only consider alternatives if stopped for over 1-2 minutes.
As a car owner, I consider environmental protection and cost savings, so I sometimes shift to neutral (N) at red lights to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Technically speaking, shifting to neutral reduces engine load, theoretically saving fuel, but in reality, the savings are minimal—for example, waiting through several red lights might only save a few cents. Modern cars have intelligent systems that prevent excessive fuel consumption even when idling in drive (D), and frequently shifting to neutral can be bothersome, wasting time with each gear change. More importantly, safety is a concern: keeping the car in drive provides better stability, preventing unintended rolling on slopes or in unexpected situations. If the light is short, there’s no need to shift; for long lights, remember to use the foot brake and not release the handbrake when in neutral. I believe a balanced approach is best—just stay in drive (D) unless you’re certain shifting to neutral is effectively saving fuel.
