Which gear should be engaged when the engine is left running for a long time?

[DanielLee]

When leaving the engine running for an extended period, the vehicle should be placed in N (Neutral) gear. Below are some precautions regarding prolonged engine idling: 1. Some drivers habitually keep the transmission in D (Drive) gear while waiting at traffic lights or during severe traffic congestion, with their foot on the brake pedal. If this lasts too long, the transmission can overheat, leading to fluid deterioration, and it also significantly increases fuel consumption. Therefore, it's advisable to shift into N gear during prolonged stops. 2. When driving on flat roads, the gear selector can be left in D position, allowing automatic gear changes based on throttle input and vehicle speed. Simply starting in D gear and continuously increasing throttle opening won't necessarily shift to higher gears. For beginners driving automatic transmission vehicles, proper operation involves anticipating downshifts by easing off the throttle once reaching certain speeds.