Which gear to use when waiting at a traffic light?
2 Answers
When waiting at a traffic light in an automatic transmission vehicle, if the expected stop is within 30 seconds, use D gear with foot brake. Below is relevant information about vehicle gears: 1. Manual transmission: Generally has 5 forward gears + 1 reverse gear. Older cars typically had 4+1, while some high-end sedans like the Mazda6 manual version now have 6 forward gears + 1 reverse gear. More gears generally allow more flexible speed control and better utilization of the car's power, making it more fuel-efficient. 2. Automatic transmission: Usually displays letters like P, R, N, D, 1, 2, 3 on the gear shift. P stands for Park, N is Neutral, and D is the normal Drive gear for forward movement.
When waiting at a red light in a manual transmission car, I usually shift to neutral and engage the handbrake, which prevents excessive clutch wear and saves fuel. For automatic transmission cars, simply keep it in D gear and hold the brake—the engine will maintain a stable idle speed safely. Never hold the clutch pedal down too long in a manual car (it wears the clutch disc) or stay in drive gear while braking in an automatic (it may overheat the transmission). Be extra cautious on steep slopes to prevent rolling, ensuring the car stays completely still. Developing these habits during daily driving reduces mechanical failures and repair costs in the long run. Many modern cars now feature auto start-stop systems that shut off the engine at red lights, significantly cutting emissions—though remember the system may deactivate when running AC in summer. Safety first: always illuminate brake lights to alert following vehicles and prevent rear-end collisions.
