What Gear to Use at a Red Light in an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 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.