Should You Shift to Neutral When Waiting at a Red Light with an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
When waiting at a red light with an automatic transmission, it is necessary to shift to neutral. Here are some precautions for shifting gears in an automatic transmission: 1. Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting gears; 2. Do not immediately press the accelerator pedal hard after shifting into gear; 3. The vehicle can only be started in P or N gear; 4. To remove the gear lever from P gear, you must step on the brake; 5. Do not shift into N gear while driving to coast; 6. Do not push into P gear while the vehicle is moving; 7. When changing the direction of travel, switching between D and R gears should only be done after the vehicle has come to a complete stop; 8. Placing the gear in N while driving prevents the oil pump from supplying oil normally for lubrication, which can cause the temperature of internal transmission components to rise and result in damage.
When waiting at a red light while driving an automatic transmission vehicle, many people wonder whether to shift into neutral, primarily due to considerations for transmission protection and fuel efficiency. I would say that in modern automotive design, for brief stops such as a few seconds at a red light, there's no need to shift gears—simply keeping your foot on the brake is sufficient. This maintains steady internal transmission pressure with minimal wear. However, if the red light lasts longer than a minute, shifting to neutral (N) and engaging the handbrake can slightly reduce engine load, lower fuel consumption, and avoid minor vibrations during idling, which may help prolong component lifespan with long-term use. That said, excessively frequent gear shifting increases operational risks, especially on uneven roads where it might cause the vehicle to roll. In summary, choose flexibly based on parking duration: keeping it in Drive (D) for short stops and shifting to neutral for longer waits is more practical.
