Should You Shift to Neutral When Waiting at a Red Light in an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Whether to shift to neutral when waiting at a red light in an automatic transmission car depends on the duration of the red light. If the red light is less than 60 seconds, simply pressing the brake is sufficient without shifting gears. If the red light exceeds 60 seconds, you can shift to neutral, engage the handbrake, and release the foot brake. It is not advisable to keep the brake pressed for an extended period while the car is in drive (D) mode, as this can be harmful to the transmission. The most common type of transmission in cars is the AT (automatic transmission), also known as a torque converter transmission, which connects to the engine via the torque converter. The torque converter contains transmission fluid. Keeping the car in D gear while pressing the brake at a red light can cause the transmission fluid temperature to rise.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience driving automatic transmission cars, I usually keep the car in D gear and step on the brake when waiting at a red light. Switching gears for short red lights is too much hassle, and there's not enough time for that. However, if the red light is exceptionally long, like during a traffic jam lasting several minutes, I've tried shifting to N gear and pulling the handbrake to relax my foot, which helps reduce fatigue a bit. Modern car transmissions handle D gear idling well, with minimal wear on components, so there's no need to worry too much about fuel efficiency. For cars without auto start-stop functionality, shifting to N gear can indeed reduce idle fuel consumption, but it also depends on the specific model and road conditions. Developing a stable habit is most important—don't get distracted by minor details, safe driving is what truly matters. In short, for everyday red light stops, keeping the car in D gear and braking is the most convenient and safest approach.
