Should You Shift to Neutral at a Red Light?
2 Answers
For manual transmission cars, if the red light wait time is short, you can simply hold the brake in first gear. If the wait is longer, engage the handbrake and shift to neutral. Precautions for driving automatic transmission cars are as follows: 1. When waiting at a red light in an automatic car, if the light is short, staying in D (Drive) gear while holding the brake won't cause significant harm. However, for prolonged waits, shift to N (Neutral) gear. This is because with the car in D gear, the engine remains engaged, and prolonged brake application can lead to transmission overheating. 2. The correct procedure for waiting at a red light or prolonged stopping (over 10 seconds) in an automatic car is: Press the brake until the vehicle comes to a complete stop; Shift to N gear while waiting for the green light; Shift back to D gear, apply throttle, and proceed.
When waiting at a red light, I often shift to neutral, especially when driving a manual transmission car, as it saves fuel and protects the vehicle. If you don't shift to neutral in a manual car, the engine remains under constant load, leading to higher fuel consumption, noticeable shaking, and increased clutch wear. My experience suggests shifting to neutral for red lights longer than 20 seconds; for shorter lights, holding the clutch down is an option, but shifting to neutral makes the cabin quieter. Modern cars have auto start-stop systems, but for manual transmissions, shifting to neutral is still preferable for long-term fuel savings and component protection. I've also tested that starting from neutral is smoother and safer, allowing quicker reaction in emergencies. Once you develop the habit, it proves especially useful in urban traffic jams.
