Should You Shift to N or P Gear When Waiting at a Red Light?
3 Answers
When waiting at a red light, shift to N gear. The N gear is the neutral gear, where the engine and transmission of the car are not connected and are in a disconnected state. This gear is used for temporary stops (such as at a red light). To prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope, you must keep your foot on the brake. Generally, automatic transmission vehicles also have P, D, R, S, and L gears. P stands for Parking gear; D stands for Drive gear; R stands for Reverse gear; S stands for Sport gear; and L stands for Low gear. An automatic transmission does not require shifting gears while driving, and its advantage over a manual transmission is that it is easier to drive. Automatic transmissions also include continuously variable transmissions (CVT), electronic paddle shifters, and electronic gear shift levers. Vehicles on the market come with three types of transmissions: manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, and semi-automatic transmissions.
I find that when waiting at a red light, it's usually most reasonable to shift to N gear and engage the handbrake, rather than P gear. Over the years of driving, I've seen too many rear-end collisions. If you shift to P gear, the transmission gets locked, and if you're hit from behind, it could cause gear damage or even fire, posing too much risk. For short red lights under 30 seconds, I don't bother shifting and just stay in D gear with the brake pedal pressed; for slightly longer waits, I shift to N gear and pull the handbrake to free my feet. I've discussed this with friends—some say shifting to P gear is easier, but in reality, it might cause bigger problems. Remember, safety first—don't cut corners. Developing good habits can reduce trouble from the source.
As someone who prioritizes car maintenance, I insist on shifting to N (Neutral) gear rather than P (Park) at red lights to protect the mechanics. The transmission locks the output shaft in P gear, which is unnecessary for brief stops and may cause internal gear damage in sudden collisions; N gear avoids such wear and reduces component stress. During biannual servicing, technicians always advise against frequent P gear use for short stops. This small daily driving adjustment extends my car's lifespan and saves repair costs. For red lights exceeding 1 minute, I directly turn off the engine, shift to N gear, and engage the handbrake to conserve resources.
