Traverse Forum banner

Is it better to shift to neutral or stay in drive at a red stop?

3K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Ed999  
#1 ·
Should I put my car in neutral or in Drive when stopping at a red light?Other people might say that should leave the car in neutral, and others, still, will leave it in Drive, me always shift on D at red lights, but I want to know whether it's better on D or N. My car is a 2022 traverse. Thank you in advance.
 
#2 ·
What makes you ask this? I almost never take the vehicle out of drive while at stop lights.
 
#5 ·
my friend said the shift to D at a red light, the automatic transmission clutch will work continuously even if the car is stopped, so it could be said to shorten the life of the automatic transmission. when I searched for information on google, someone said it was okay shift stay in Drive
 
#4 ·
Fluid is being pumped throughout the transmission and through the cooler any time the engine is running.

Regardless, I agree not to do this. You're putting more wear and tear on the vehicle in general, shifting to neutral and back to drive with every stop/go. The only bonus would be It should disable the auto stop/start on the 2018+ There's easier ways to do that though.
 
#10 ·
I have a scangauge and like to monitor trans temps on 100 degree days... usually the hottest trans temps are around 220 for normal driving in stop and go. Synthetic trans fluid handles that just fine and I do yearly (less than 20k) drain and fill intervals.
 
#11 ·
In the approximately 85 years of the automatic transmission's operational history, it's been intended to be left in gear/drive when the car is stopped with no detriment to it's lifespan. As a manual transmission owner it always seemed odd to me when people would throw it in neutral and let the car roll a bit. Maybe it's trans-envy. Pun intended.

Plus seems about 90% of new cars shut off at stop lights now anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cintocrunch