Driving an automatic

[the2ems]

Quick question on driving an automatic, hopefully without opening a can of worms
When stopped at traffic lights, or maybe traffic jam, should I select neutral, or leave it in drive?

[Beanee687]

C3 Aircross Flair 130bhp with EAT6. Leave it in drive with foot on brake. If it has stop start it operates in D with foot on brake, in N it works but you can take foot off brake apply handbrake if required. In P stop start doesn't operate.
Yes you can use the manual selection but I find the auto when left in D works very well. If you do put it in M and change gear TO HIGHER gear, if you slow down to where the gear you are in is too high then the box will change down but once you exceed the gear max revs , change is usually 2400 to 2500 rpm, it will NOT change back up for you.

[mike1940]

To keep the foot on the brake at lights is very inconsiderate to those behind.

[routemaster1]

If you are stationary for a significant time it's best to go to N as it will reduce the (marginal) wear on the torque converter and (marginally) reduce fuel consumption.

[the2ems]

To keep the foot on the brake at lights is very inconsiderate to those behind.

Why?

[routemaster1]

To keep the foot on the brake at lights is very inconsiderate to those behind.

Why?

Because you dazzle them. It's like using the rear foglight/s when unnecessary. The bulbs are the same wattage.

[the2ems]

To keep the foot on the brake at lights is very inconsiderate to those behind.

Why?

Because you dazzle them. It's like using the rear foglight/s when unnecessary. The bulbs are the same wattage.

Never thought of that. If I go into neutral, I wonder how many times I will try to pull away without switching back to drive

[Beanee687]

Each to their own I'd say at a guess that 90% of drivers these days sit at traffic lights with the brake ON.

[routemaster1]

Each to their own I'd say at a guess that 90% of drivers these days sit at traffic lights with the brake ON.

You could keep it in D and use the hand/parking brake.

[Beanee687]

You could but stop start then starts the engine when you take your foot off the brake. Air pollution worse than light pollution