What gear should the car be in when waiting at a traffic light?
2 Answers
When waiting at a traffic light, automatic transmission cars should be in N gear + handbrake; manual transmission cars should be in neutral + handbrake. Here are the detailed instructions: 1. For automatic transmission cars, if the waiting time at a red light is more than 20 seconds, simply shift to N gear + handbrake; if the time is less than 20 seconds, you can use D gear + foot brake, which is also more convenient. 2. For manual transmission cars, when stopping at a traffic light, it is usually to directly shift to neutral + handbrake. When there are about 5 seconds left, you can start by pressing the clutch—shifting to 1st gear—pressing the brake—releasing the handbrake, and then waiting to start. 3. For starting a manual transmission car, many beginners are afraid of stalling. The correct operation sequence should be to quickly press the clutch, shift to 1st gear, release the handbrake, then slowly release the clutch. Once you feel the wheels loosen, stabilize the clutch and lightly press the accelerator while slowly releasing the clutch. Once the speed picks up, directly press the clutch again and shift to 2nd gear.
When driving an automatic transmission car, I usually shift to N (Neutral) gear and pull the handbrake while waiting at a red light. This prevents the torque converter from straining against D (Drive) gear, improving cooling. If the wait lasts more than half a minute, especially when using air conditioning in summer, this practice helps protect the transmission. For manual transmission cars, simply shift to neutral, firmly press the brake with your right foot, and completely release the clutch with your left foot—this can extend the lifespan of the clutch assembly by tens of thousands of kilometers. Remember, never shift to P (Park) gear while waiting at a red light in an automatic car—my friend once had his transmission destroyed after being rear-ended. Many modern cars now feature an auto-hold function; pressing the brake deeply activates it, freeing your right foot. But when starting off at a green light, just tap the accelerator gently—don’t stomp on it.
