What gear should an automatic car be in when waiting at a red light?
1 Answers
When waiting at a red light in an automatic car, you should either shift to neutral and engage the handbrake or stay in D (Drive) gear while pressing the brake pedal. Shifting to neutral and engaging the handbrake is suitable when the light has just turned red or the remaining red light duration is long. Shifting to neutral cuts off engine power, and engaging the handbrake prevents the vehicle from moving, allowing you to release your right foot from the brake pedal. Staying in D gear while pressing the brake is suitable when the red light is about to turn green in a few seconds or in stop-and-go traffic, as it allows for quick acceleration without frequent gear changes. The P (Park) gear in an automatic transmission is functionally similar to neutral but includes an additional locking mechanism for the output shaft. If you shift to P gear while waiting at a red light and get rear-ended by another vehicle, the locking mechanism could be damaged, potentially leading to severe transmission failure.