Should You Shift to Neutral at a Red Light?
2 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.
