When driving an automatic car, do i need to put the gear on N when i am at a traffic light?

Question

Or will i be ok to leave it in D?

Also, if an auto car has 1,2,3 & 4, do i need to change gears when i am driving? or will the auto gearbox do it all when it is on D?

Answer 1

Just keep it in the D position, keep your foot on the brake and the car will not go anywhere, if you take your foot off the brake the car will very slowly creep forwards.

Automatic is as automatic does, D is for drive.

An automatic car works with a centrifugal clutch so the faster you rev the engine the faster the car goes when in position D.

Puting it in position 1 is good for manouvering such as parking, as for the other positions I am not sure as I have only driven an automatic once many years ago when the only option was 1, 2  N, P  and D

Answer 2

you can but its a waste of movement on your part it will do little or nothing  to leave it drive ...for the car automatic mean you dont have to shift just put it in drive and go..  

Answer 3

No need to change gears unless you are going down or up steep hills. Going down steep hills you will help encourage engine braking by selecting a lower gear. Going up steep hills you can help the engine by selecting a lower gear - this will hold the gear and avoid 'hunting' - this is where the gearbox jumps up and down the gears 'cos it's not sure which is the right one for the hill you're on (I could have explained that better, but that's the gist!).

At traffic lights, if the stop turns into a wait, it's more considerate in the dark or poor light conditions to place the gear in neutral, apply the hand brake and release the footbrake - that way your rear brake lights won't blind and irritate drivers waiting behind you. If you don't care about the comfort of others, just leave your foot on the footbrake.

:-)

Answer 4

When driving an automatic?? You leave it in DRIVE or OVERDRIVE & put your foot on the brake. That's it. Even with a 5-speed I leave it in D at a light. You don't want to put excess wear on your transmission shifting needlessly.

An automatic transmission means the car shifts into gear *automatically* all you really need to consider is DRIVE & REVERSE.

On very slippery roads like with snow/ice/mud you may also use 1st & 2nd gears sparingly.

A manual transmission, also called a 3-speed/5-speed/6-speed, etc needs to be shifted into gear *manually* with the gear shift & clutch.

Answer 5

No. You simply need to have your foor on the brake.  That is why the car is called an automatic....the car dealer charges more for automatic vehicles because it is a luxury.  while driving, simply put the car in D, and go.  The only reason that you even have D1 or D2 is for either hauling like a trailer or going up a steep hill...it is a lower gear that allows the car to pull with less effort.

Answer 6

Put the thing in "D" and LEAVE it there until you either back up or park.

Answer 7

You don't have to but it is good practice to go into N and put handbrake on.

The auto gearbox does it all for you that is what automatic means!!!!

Answer 8

Leaving it in Drive is your best best dude!

Answer 9

I leave mine in D in  light traffic conjestion

If its a major tailback,  I switch  to N  to let the  engine keep cool

apart from that,  I dont think I would buy another manual car

never had a problem with a faulty box in 20 years

Answer 10

Leave it in Drive, it will be fine.  1, 2, 3, 4 and gears are for hilly terrain.

Answer 11

By all means leave it in D(rive) with your foot on the brake at traffic lights. That way, you'll annoy the driver behind with your brake lights and shorten the life of the bulbs at the same time.  Also, wear out the pads quicker.

Alternatively, put it in N(eutral) or P(ark) with the handbrake on.

Answer 12

Its fine to leave it in D (drive) as long as you remember to keep the brake on! as for 1,2,3,4 gears the car will do it for you or you can use the gear stick to lock it in to a certain gear if you are towing something up a hill etc.

this is to stop the gear box keep trying to change gear all the time.

If you have an automatic driving licence you should know this. if you do how did you pass?? or if you dont read the manul that comes with the car.

Answer 13

There is no need to put your transmission into neutral nor a need to shift an automatic. Shifting to neutral does no good at all, and shifting the transmission is only really good for preventing gear hunting if your pulling an exceptionally heavy load.

Answer 14

Yes i always did put the gear change into neutrel, it will help prevent silly mistakes like moving off before the car in front of you and it will hopefuly stop you racing. off from the lights better cautious.