Should You Shift to Neutral (N) When Stopping at a Red Light in an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
When stopping at a red light in an automatic car, it is advisable to shift to Neutral (N). Different approaches should be taken depending on the duration of the red light. Below are the recommended actions for automatic cars encountering red lights of varying durations, as well as the method for parking an automatic car: Recommended actions for automatic cars encountering red lights of varying durations: When encountering a brief red light at an intersection, simply press and hold the brake pedal. If the stopping time exceeds 2 minutes, shift to Neutral (N) to protect the transmission and prevent the transmission fluid from overheating. If the stopping time exceeds 5 minutes, it is best to turn off the engine and shift to Park (P), which is both environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient. Not all automatic cars require gear shifting when waiting at a red light. For example, vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake or auto start-stop system will automatically engage parking or turn off the engine after the car comes to a complete stop and the brake pedal is pressed for a few seconds. Method for parking an automatic car: First, press the foot brake to bring the car to a complete stop, then shift the gear from Drive (D) to Neutral (N) and engage the handbrake. Release the foot brake but do not turn off the power, then press the foot brake again and shift the gear from Neutral (N) to Park (P). Finally, release the foot brake and turn off the power.
After driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade, I've realized traffic light waiting requires different approaches. For short red lights lasting 10-20 seconds, there's no need to shift to N - just stay in D with your foot on the brake. The torque converter already disconnects the power, causing no strain on the transmission. However, for long red lights exceeding 90 seconds, I always shift to N and engage the handbrake - it gives my feet a rest and lets the engine idle more comfortably. What really annoys me are drivers who creep forward slowly when the light turns green - staying in D allows for smoother follow-up acceleration. Of course, when parking on slopes, N gear alone isn't safe enough - always use the handbrake in combination.
