What is the correct way to wait at a red light with an automatic transmission?
1 Answers
The correct method for waiting at a red light with an automatic transmission is: For short waits at red lights, simply keep the gear in D (Drive) and press the brake pedal. For waits exceeding 20 seconds, it's recommended to shift to N (Neutral). On level roads, there's no need to engage the handbrake, but on slopes, the handbrake should be applied. It is not advisable to shift to P (Park) while waiting at a red light, as a strong rear-end collision could potentially damage the parking pawl and gear. An automatic transmission eliminates the need for the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. Typically, automatic transmission vehicles have six gear positions, arranged from top to bottom as: P, R, N, D, S, L.