When an automatic car is at a red light, there is a habit of shifting the transmission lever to N (neutral) or staying in D (drive).
Which is safer, keeping your car in D or N at red lights?
As quoted from GridOto.com, Whether in D or N, it is important to pay attention to matik car users when stopping at a red light.
According to Hermas Efendi Prabowo, owner of Worner Matic specialist workshop, Bintaro, South Tangerang, who is also an expert on automatic transmissions in Indonesia, the position of the lever in D or N makes no difference.
"In the context of its effect on the transmission gearbox, whether in D or N is equally safe," he said.
According to him, in the D position and with the brake pedal pressed, there are no mechanical components of the gearbox that move at rest.
"Transmission oil hydraulic pressure is stopped due to shaft The gearbox is stopped from the axle," Hermas explained.
"Impeller inside torque converter which results in transmission oil pressure only resisting but not forcing it to move gearbox components such as planetary gears or clutch set," he explained.
He also noticed that many cars are now equipped with Auto Hold Brake.
Which is functioned to activate the brakes to keep the car stopped even if the position is in D.
"As long as the gas pedal is not stepped on while braking, there is no friction or forced movement of the gearbox in the D lever position when stopping," Hermas explained.
Even so, Hermas believes it will be much safer if the lever position is shifted to N.
Not because of the gearbox issue, but rather the safety factor.
"Especially for cars that do not have the Auto Hold Brake feature, shift it to position N so that you don't need to step on the brake pedal extra to hold the car's position," Hermas explained.
"It also prevents accidents if the brake pedal is released and the car moves forward if held in D," he added.
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