What gear should you use at traffic lights?
2 Answers
At traffic lights, for automatic transmissions, you can either shift to neutral and engage the handbrake or stay in D gear while pressing the brake. For manual transmissions, shift to neutral or first gear. Shifting to neutral and engaging the handbrake is suitable when the light has just turned red or when the remaining red light duration is long. Shifting to neutral cuts off engine power, and the handbrake prevents the vehicle from moving. Staying in D gear while pressing the brake is appropriate when the red light has only about ten seconds left or in stop-and-go traffic. The P gear in automatic transmissions is essentially the same as neutral but includes an additional mechanism that locks the output shaft. If you shift to P gear at a red light and get rear-ended by a vehicle behind that fails to react in time, this locking mechanism can be damaged, and in severe cases, the transmission may be rendered useless.
When I encounter a red light while driving, I always make it a habit to shift into neutral and engage the handbrake or keep my foot on the brake. This is a safety practice that prevents the vehicle from accidentally rolling, especially in congested urban traffic. In case of a foot slip or brake failure, the car won't lurch forward and cause a rear-end collision. For manual transmission cars, it's easy to shift into neutral, while automatic transmission cars can be put into N (neutral) gear. I've seen many drivers keep their cars in D (drive) gear at red lights, relying solely on their foot to hold the brake. This might be fine for short stops, but if the light takes longer, their foot could get tired or even cramp, making it dangerous if the car moves. Developing the habit of shifting into neutral also allows you to relax briefly and focus on changes in traffic conditions. In short, safety comes first—don't cut corners by overlooking this detail.
