Which gear should the car be in when waiting at a traffic light?
4 Answers
Detailed introduction on which gear an automatic transmission car should be in when waiting at a traffic light is as follows: 1. Waiting for less than 30 seconds: If the automatic transmission vehicle is expected to stop and wait for less than 30 seconds, keep it in D gear with foot brake applied. 2. Waiting for more than 30 seconds: If the expected stop and wait time is more than 30 seconds, shift to N gear with handbrake applied; 3. Waiting for more than 2 minutes: If the expected stop and wait time is more than 2 minutes, shift to N gear with handbrake applied and turn off the engine. For manual transmission cars when waiting at a traffic light: For manual transmission vehicles during waiting periods, directly press the clutch and brake in first gear. For longer waits, shift to neutral and apply the handbrake. If the stop time is short, the gear lever can remain in D position.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and my habit at red lights is to shift to Neutral (N) while keeping my foot on the brake. This is mainly for safety reasons—if I accidentally release the foot brake, the car won't creep forward and cause an accident. Using Park (P) isn't suitable for brief stops because, in the vehicle's design, P locks the drive shaft. If the car behind rear-ends you, the strong impact could damage internal transmission components. I once helped a friend repair a car with this exact issue, and the fix was expensive. For stops longer than 30 seconds, shifting to N also reduces engine load, saving a bit of fuel. In daily driving, developing this habit is crucial for vehicle protection. Don't take the easy way out by staying in Drive (D) with the brake pressed—it's not worth the extra strain.
I always pay attention to fuel consumption, and I shift to neutral (N) at traffic lights. This reduces the engine load, allowing it to idle with less fuel consumption and lower emissions. Based on data comparison, in congested areas, using N gear instead of holding the brake in D gear can save 5-10% of fuel. Over time, this is more environmentally friendly and reduces your vehicle operating costs. Don’t forget to engage the brake or handbrake to ensure the car stays stationary. Some beginners only focus on driving fast and overlook these small details—that’s not good. A car is a precision instrument, so take good care of it.
From a mechanical maintenance perspective, shifting to N gear at traffic lights is quite appropriate. When in D gear, the transmission remains pressurized in the driving state, with internal components such as gears and bearings continuously under stress. Briefly shifting to N gear during short waits switches to the neutral position, avoiding this additional stress and extending component lifespan. Transmission repairs are troublesome and expensive, and this small habit can prevent major issues. I've checked my car's performance over ten years of maintaining the N gear habit, and it has never experienced any failures.
