Which gear should the Tayron be in when waiting at a red light?
4 Answers
The Tayron should be in D gear with the brake pedal pressed when the red light duration is less than 30 seconds. If it exceeds 30 seconds, shift to N gear and engage the handbrake. Car gears include: P gear, R gear, N gear, D gear. Related introduction to car gears: P gear is the parking gear: When the gear lever is in the P gear position, the transmission is in neutral internally, but the output shaft is mechanically locked. At this time, the car will remain stationary even without pressing the brake, and it is generally used for long-term parking. When engaging P gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not engage P gear when the car is not fully stopped, and always engage the handbrake. When parking on a slope, engage the handbrake first before shifting to P gear. R gear is the reverse gear: When the gear lever is in the R gear position, the rotation direction of the transmission's output shaft is opposite to that of the engine, allowing the car to move backward. When engaging R gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not engage R gear when the car is not fully stopped. N gear is the neutral gear: When the gear lever is in the N gear position, the gears inside the transmission are in a freewheeling state, and the clutch is not engaged, resulting in minimal load on the transmission. N gear is generally used for short-term parking, such as waiting at a red light, and the transmission should also be in N gear when the car is being towed. D gear is the driving gear: When the gear lever is in the D gear position, the gears inside the transmission automatically shift between the lowest and highest gears based on factors such as vehicle speed and throttle opening, according to the preset shifting pattern. In most cases, D gear can be used for driving.
When driving an automatic transmission car like the Tayron, I always shift to neutral (N) and hold the brake at red lights to prevent prolonged strain on the transmission and avoid accidental forward movement. Years ago, I learned the hard way—keeping it in D for too long made my foot numb, nearly causing a minor accident when I almost released the brake. Especially with the Tayron’s finely tuned transmission design, shifting to N at red lights reduces engine vibration and wear, ensuring safety and peace of mind. If the light lasts over a minute, I also engage the handbrake to rest my foot. Mechanics often highlight this habit during maintenance as a way to extend the car’s lifespan. Just remember not to shift to P, as it slows down your start when the light turns green, disrupting traffic. Adopting this method is highly practical for everyday driving.
I think it's most appropriate to shift the Tayron into neutral (N) gear at red lights, mainly from a fuel-saving perspective. After shifting to N gear, the engine load is reduced, and fuel consumption can drop by a few tenths of a percentage point, which can save some money in the long run. Especially in urban traffic jams with frequent red lights, staying in D gear and pressing the brake increases power loss. I've compared several cars, and the Tayron has stable idle speed and quieter sound in neutral. If the red light is short, like ten seconds or so, staying in D gear is fine. But for longer waits, I always switch to N gear and press the brake—don’t be lazy and use P gear, as it’s troublesome. This driving style is more economical and eco-friendly, reducing exhaust emissions and being better for the environment.
As a new driver, when I wait at a red light in my Tayron, I shift to neutral (N) and hold the brake. This is what my instructor taught me to prevent the car from rolling or accidentally accelerating. Although shifting to park (P) can stop the car, it takes an extra moment to shift back to drive (D) when starting. Neutral is straightforward—once the light turns green, just press the accelerator and go. I also tried staying in drive (D), but my foot got tired from holding the brake for too long, and the engine noise was annoying. Remember to check that the brake lights are on to avoid annoying the driver behind you. The Tayron's steering is light, making this operation effortless.
