What Gear to Use at a Red Light in an Automatic Transmission Car?
4 Answers
What gear to use at a red light in an automatic transmission car depends on the duration of the red light: 1. For red lights lasting about 10 seconds, keep the gear in D and apply the brake; 2. For red lights lasting more than 30 seconds, shift to N and engage the handbrake. Automatic transmission cars do not require manual gear shifting by the driver; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on speed and traffic conditions. The meanings of the letters on an automatic transmission car are: P for Park, R for Reverse, N for Neutral, D for Drive, L for Low gear, S for Sport mode, and OD for Overdrive. The correct method to start an automatic transmission car is: 1. Turn on the power, then start the engine; 2. After ignition, press the brake, shift to D, release the handbrake, and gently press the accelerator to start moving; 3. After starting, accelerate appropriately according to road conditions.
After driving for so many years, I've developed the habit of shifting to N gear or keeping the brake pressed in D gear at red lights. If left in D gear, the transmission is still working, causing slight wear, but allows faster acceleration when the light turns green. Shifting to N gear completely disengages the power, reducing engine load and better protecting the transmission, though it takes an extra second to shift from N back to D when starting again. Many experienced drivers recommend shifting to N and applying the handbrake for added safety, preventing rear-end collisions or accidental brake release due to foot slippage. Beginners are more prone to mistakenly pressing the accelerator – I've seen cases where cars lurched forward causing minor accidents. Newer cars now feature auto-hold function that automatically locks the brakes when stopped, allowing you to simply press the accelerator to go when the light turns green, which is much more convenient. Regardless of the method, safety comes first – never get distracted by your phone.
As a car owner, I place more emphasis on vehicle maintenance and recommend shifting to Neutral (N) gear at red lights. When an automatic transmission is in Drive (D) gear, the power remains connected, and continuous fuel supply can lead to overheating and increased fuel consumption, especially during summer traffic jams when the radiator temperature is high. Shifting to N gear allows the transmission to rest, thereby extending its lifespan. Some vehicle manuals explicitly advise against holding the brake in D gear for extended periods. I've experimented with different methods and found that shifting to N gear plus applying the handbrake indeed results in a quieter operation and shows a slight fuel saving of a few tenths of a liter on the dashboard. However, starting from N gear is slower, so if the light is about to turn green, it's quicker to stay in D gear with the brake applied. The key is to assess the situation: staying in D gear is fine for short waits at red lights, but for stops exceeding 30 seconds, shifting to N gear is better for protection.
I think keeping it in D gear and stepping on the brake is the simplest and most practical. When driving in the city with frequent stops at red lights, I rarely shift gears, always staying in D gear, and my right foot steadily presses the brake. To start again, just step on the accelerator and go, saving the shifting action, which is especially convenient in congested areas. Even waiting for a long time is no problem; modern transmissions are designed with this situation in mind, so there's no worry about overheating. Of course, in extreme cases, I might occasionally shift to P or N gear, but there's really no need to complicate things. When driving, simplicity is key, with the main focus on road conditions.
