Should You Shift to Neutral at a Red Light with an Automatic Transmission?
3 Answers
It is recommended to shift to neutral (N) when waiting at a red light with an automatic transmission. If the wait is prolonged, you can also engage the handbrake. Briefly placing the gear in N during a short red light is acceptable, but keeping it in N for extended periods can damage the vehicle, especially the transmission. Keeping the gear in D while braking at a red light is equivalent to pressing both the accelerator and brake simultaneously in a manual transmission car. An automatic transmission typically refers to a car's automatic gear-shifting mechanism, where the transmission control system automatically selects the appropriate gear based on engine speed and load, replacing the driver's manual judgment and shifting operations. Common automatic transmission cars have six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), S (Sport), and L (Low). The frequently used automatic gear positions are P (Park), R (Reverse), N (Neutral), and D (Drive).
I've been driving for many years and have developed my own habits when it comes to handling red lights. If the red light is very short, less than 10 seconds, I simply keep my foot on the brake while staying in Drive (D) mode - this allows for quicker starts and is more convenient. However, if the red light lasts over 30 seconds or longer, I gently shift to Neutral (N), which makes the car quieter with less vibration and saves a bit of fuel. The key is to drive safely and conveniently - don't get distracted and forget to shift back to D when accelerating, which would cause sluggish starts. Keeping the car in D while braking for extended periods can sometimes lead to foot fatigue, and accidentally releasing pressure might cause the car to creep forward dangerously. During routine maintenance, I've also noticed that waiting in D at red lights doesn't significantly harm the transmission, especially with newer cars which are more durable. Ultimately, comfort is most important - don't rigidly follow rules. With frequent red lights in city traffic, it's better to stay flexible rather than stubbornly sticking to one approach.
I really care about the environment, so I always think about how to save fuel when waiting at red lights. Putting the car in neutral reduces engine load, lowers throttle pressure, and allows for more complete combustion, which can reduce emissions over time. I didn't pay attention to this before, but I noticed that keeping it in Drive (D) while pressing the brake makes the fuel gauge drop faster. Now, I've gotten into the habit of shifting to Neutral (N) for short stops—it's a simple operation. Automatic cars are designed with this in mind; staying in D for a short time is fine, but shifting to N is better for longer stops. In daily driving, you also need to consider practical situations, like busy intersections where safety comes first—don't get distracted by shifting gears. A friend's car has auto start-stop; in D, the engine shuts off at lights to save fuel, but it's noisy, while in N, there's no start-stop, making it quieter and more comfortable. Saving a little on fuel costs is always a good thing—why not? Learning small tricks like these can make driving greener.
