What gear should be used when stopping at a red light?
3 Answers
What gear to use when stopping at a red light depends on the waiting time. The following are the gear selection scenarios when stopping at a red light: 1. If the red light lasts less than 30 seconds, it is recommended that the driver simply keep the brake pedal pressed. 2. If the red light lasts between 30 seconds and 1 minute, the driver should shift to N (Neutral) gear. 3. If the red light lasts more than one minute, it is recommended to shift directly to P (Park) gear. Additional information: For automatic transmission vehicles, when turning off the engine or idling for an extended period, the gear should be shifted to P (Park). The correct parking method is to first press the brake and shift to N (Neutral) gear, then engage the handbrake and release the brake pedal. Once the vehicle is completely stationary, shift to P (Park) gear.
When waiting at a red light, I usually choose the gear shifting method based on the vehicle condition and waiting time. As a manual transmission owner, I'm used to shifting into neutral and stepping on the brake for short stops—this reduces clutch wear and allows quick restart. But for long red lights or uphill stops, I engage the handbrake to prevent rolling. For automatic transmissions (tested on a friend's car), I generally recommend staying in D gear while braking—simple and responsive without frequent gear changes. However, if the car is old or vibrates noticeably, shifting to N gear can relieve transmission stress. Remember to avoid prolonged P gear use to prevent lock mechanism damage from potential rear-end collisions. Always prioritize safety with flexible judgment.
From a fuel-saving perspective, shifting to neutral or N gear at red lights is the most economical. In my daily driving, I've noticed that keeping the car in D gear while pressing the brake causes the engine to continue working hard, wasting gasoline unnecessarily, which increases fuel costs over time. Switching to neutral reduces engine RPM, making it more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly at idle. For manual transmission cars, the operation is straightforward—just shift to the middle position. Automatic transmissions are similar—shift to N gear and release the brake, but ensure your foot remains on the brake to prevent accidental movement. Occasionally, I encounter friends' cars with auto start-stop systems, where the engine shuts off automatically for even greater savings, but I feel the frequent starts and stops put a strain on the battery, making neutral gear a more stable option. In short, adjusting your actions based on road conditions protects both your wallet and your car.
