Should You Shift to Neutral (N) When Stopping at a Red Light with an Automatic Transmission?
1 Answers
It is not necessary to shift to Neutral (N) when stopping at a red light with an automatic transmission. Automatic transmission gear shifting: Automatic transmission vehicles have protection and interlock mechanisms for gear shifting. Shifting from Drive (D) to Reverse (R) or Park (P) by mistake can be dangerous while driving, but you can freely shift between Drive (D) and Neutral (N), even while the vehicle is in motion. Avoid coasting in neutral: Coasting in neutral with an automatic transmission does not save fuel. Prolonged coasting in neutral can lead to insufficient oil pressure in the hydraulic lines of the automatic transmission, which not only increases friction and reduces lubrication effectiveness but also damages the friction plates inside the transmission.