Should You Shift to P or N Gear at a Traffic Light?

[KingstonLynn]

Shift to N gear at a traffic light. Below is a detailed introduction to car gears: 1. R gear (Reverse gear): When this gear is engaged, the hydraulic system's reverse oil circuit is connected, causing the drive wheels to rotate in reverse for backward movement. Never force the shift into "R" gear when the vehicle is not completely stopped, as this may damage the transmission. 2. N gear (Neutral gear): When neutral is engaged, the planetary gear system idles without power output. 3. D gear (Drive gear): When the gearshift lever is in this position, the hydraulic control system automatically connects the corresponding forward gear oil circuit based on throttle opening and vehicle speed signals. It can automatically shift up or down with changing speeds, achieving automatic transmission functionality. 4. P gear (Parking gear): This uses a mechanical device to lock the rotating part of the car's tires, preventing the vehicle from moving.

[LondynMarie]

Before, I always shifted to P (Park) gear when waiting at a red light, thinking it was the safest way to prevent the car from rolling. But later, a friend told me about his rear-end collision incident. His car was in P gear when hit from behind, and the transmission gears got jammed and damaged, costing thousands to repair—it still hurts to think about it. Since then, I’ve switched to N (Neutral) gear. N gear is the neutral position, allowing the car to move freely without transmitting impact to the internal transmission, making it safer. For long red lights or on slopes, I engage the handbrake to ensure stability. Remember, for short waits, just keep it in D (Drive) gear and hold the brake—it’s effortless and fine. Safety first—develop good habits to protect yourself and your car.

[AutumnRose]

As a seasoned driver accustomed to automatic transmissions, I feel that gear selection at red lights varies from person to person. Some prefer shifting to P (Park), believing it's more secure to lock the transmission, especially on steep slopes. However, on flat roads, shifting to P is often unnecessary and may even damage transmission components. I usually shift to N (Neutral) and engage the handbrake, keeping the car perfectly still while giving my foot a rest. Automatic transmissions are intelligently designed - for short stops, keeping it in D (Drive) with the brake pressed is fine, while longer stops warrant shifting to N. The key is avoiding rear-end collision risks and protecting the vehicle's core components. Developing good driving habits ensures safer journeys.

[McAndres]

As an environmentally conscious driver, I believe shifting to neutral (N) at red lights saves a bit of fuel. When in neutral, the engine idles with less load compared to staying in drive (D), which may consume slightly more fuel due to the added load. Based on my tests, consistently using neutral at red lights could accumulate minor fuel savings over time. However, safety is paramount: shifting to park (P) carries higher risks, as a rear-end collision could severely damage the transmission. Therefore, I opt for neutral at red lights to allow the vehicle to move freely, minimizing potential accident damage. While briefly staying in drive with the brake pressed is acceptable, achieving both energy efficiency and safety is a win-win.