Choosing the Right Gear at Red Lights: Drive, Neutral, or Park?
Selecting the right gear while waiting at red lights is essential, especially in heavy city traffic. Frequent stops, long idle times, or slow movements can affect your transmission if handled incorrectly. Here are some practical tips to help preserve your transmission and extend your vehicle’s lifespan. When stopping briefly (less than 1 minute) Gear D (Drive):Use Drive if you’re stopping for a short time, such as waiting at a red light or during slow-moving traffic. Simply keep your foot on the brake without shifting gears frequently. This helps reduce unnecessary wear and tear on the transmission. When stopping for longer (more than 1 minute) Gear N (Neutral):Switch to Neutral and pull the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling. This reduces the heat buildup in the transmission and can help save fuel during long stops. Avoid using Gear P (Park) while idling Do not use Park while the engine is running and the car is stopped at traffic lights. Park locks the transmission, and if engaged while the car is still moving, it may cause serious damage.Use Park only when the engine is turned off or when parking on a slope to prevent rolling. For manual transmission cars Always shift to Neutral (N) and pull the handbrake when stopped. Avoid holding the clutch pedal down, as it will wear out the release bearing faster. 👉 Choosing the correct gear at red lights not only protects your transmission but also improves safety and fuel efficiency, especially in cities with frequent traffic congestion.
