What gear should an automatic transmission car be in when waiting at a red light?
3 Answers
When waiting at a red light with an automatic transmission car, it should be shifted into neutral. The gear positions for automatic transmission vehicles are explained as follows: 1.P——Parking, the parking gear. When the car is parked and not in use, the gear is in this position, at which time the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling. 2.R——Reverse gear, used when reversing. 3.N——Neutral, used when temporarily stopping (e.g., at a red light). 4.D——Drive, also known as the forward gear, used when moving forward. 5.L——Low, the low gear, used when going downhill. 6.OD, the overdrive gear, used when driving at high speeds.
When waiting at a red light, I usually shift to Neutral (N) gear, which feels quite worry-free as I can take my foot off the brake and relax a bit without having to keep pressing it constantly. Some people prefer to stay in Drive (D) gear for simplicity and convenience, but over time, you need to remember to press the brake harder; otherwise, the car might creep forward or vibrate more, increasing fuel consumption. Most importantly, never shift to Park (P) gear—if a rear-end collision happens, the transmission could suffer severe damage, leading to expensive repairs. For short red lights, like those under ten seconds, simply pressing the brake is fine. But for longer waits, I decisively switch to N gear and engage the handbrake for better stability, which also helps with car maintenance.
Putting the car in Neutral (N) gear while waiting at a red light is more fuel-efficient, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption. When stopped in Drive (D) gear with the brake pedal pressed, the engine remains under load and consumes slightly more fuel; shifting to N gear allows the engine to idle more efficiently. For vehicles equipped with auto start-stop systems, the engine usually shuts off automatically, in which case the gear position doesn't matter—you just need to keep the brake pedal depressed. From a safety perspective, never engage Park (P) gear at a red light, as there's a high risk of transmission damage in case of a rear-end collision. It's safer to remain in D or N gear while applying the foot brake.
