Should You Shift to Neutral at a Red Light?
4 Answers
When waiting at a red light for an extended period, it is advisable to shift to neutral; however, for brief stops at traffic lights, shifting to neutral is unnecessary. Below is an introduction to shifting to neutral while waiting at a red light: Braking When in Neutral: After shifting to neutral, it is essential to engage the handbrake or press the brake pedal. This is because the car is in neutral, and the driveshaft lacks any restraining force. Any external force can cause the car to move, especially on slopes, where inertia can easily lead to unintended vehicle movement and potential accidents. Auto Start-Stop and Parking: Many modern vehicles are equipped with auto start-stop and auto hold functions, which work together seamlessly. When waiting at a red light, the engine automatically shuts off, and the car engages the handbrake. Upon pressing the accelerator when the light turns green, the engine restarts, and the handbrake is automatically released, allowing the car to resume driving.
Whether to shift to neutral at red lights depends on the situation. I usually drive an automatic transmission car. If the red light is short (e.g., within 30 seconds), I stay in D gear with the brake pressed for quicker acceleration. However, for long red lights exceeding 90 seconds, I definitely shift to neutral and engage the handbrake to relax my right foot and reduce pressure on the torque converter. Once during a summer traffic jam that lasted half an hour without shifting to neutral, I noticed the car shaking noticeably. Later, a mechanic told me that keeping it in D gear while braking for long periods accelerates transmission fluid degradation. Nowadays, with new cars featuring auto start-stop systems, it's even more convenient—no need to worry about shifting gears. The engine automatically shuts off when stopped to save fuel, and you can just lift your foot to go when the light turns green.
As a seasoned driver accustomed to manual transmissions, I still maintain the habit of shifting to neutral at traffic lights even after switching to an automatic. I remember my driving instructor saying that keeping the car in D while braking for extended periods is like holding back energy—it causes slight transmission vibrations and consumes more fuel. I've tried both methods; for short red lights, it doesn't matter much, but for those lasting over a minute, shifting to neutral is noticeably quieter and smoother. The key, though, is to engage the handbrake, especially on slopes. Once, I saw a car ahead roll back because the handbrake wasn't engaged, nearly causing a rear-end collision. With today's severe traffic congestion, morning rush hour red lights often last two to three minutes. Shifting to neutral also gives my ankles a chance to stretch.
Whether to shift to neutral at red lights is actually answered in the vehicle manual. After reviewing the manuals of three different brands of automatic transmission cars, all suggest shifting to N gear for prolonged stops. I own a 6-year-old Toyota, and during every maintenance, the mechanic reminds me: shift to neutral if the red light lasts over 60 seconds to extend the transmission's lifespan. Although short stops in D gear with brakes have minimal impact, transmission fluid temperature rises, especially noticeable when using AC in summer. Practical tests showed that routes with more neutral gear stops consumed 0.3 liters less fuel over the same distance. However, cars with auto start-stop systems eliminate this dilemma entirely, as the system handles it more intelligently.
