Should You Shift to Neutral When Waiting at a Red Light?

[VonRicardo]

Whether to shift to neutral when waiting at a red light depends on the duration of the wait. For long red lights, it is recommended to shift into neutral; for short waits, shifting into neutral is unnecessary. Avoid shifting into park (P) when waiting at a red light, as a rear-end collision in this situation could potentially damage the transmission. Many modern car models 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 parking brake. Upon pressing the accelerator lightly when the light turns green, the engine restarts while the parking brake automatically releases, allowing the car to move smoothly.