2007-02-26 04:39:22 · 22 answers · asked by Kathleen S 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
You should only apply the foot brake. your transmission is designed to be in an almost neutral position when your foot is on the brake.
some drag will be evident due to the torque converter ( kind of like the clutch in a manual trans car).
but just applying the foot brake is enough.
2007-02-26 04:48:30 · answer #1 · answered by JASON D 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The answer is no. An automatic transmission is designed to be in gear while completely still and pulling the handbrake completely defeats the purpose of having the footbrake anyway. If you'll notice the hand brake is properly called the emergency brake or the parking brake neither of which you are doing at a traffic light.
2007-02-26 04:50:53 · answer #2 · answered by jamesbond1382003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
On the rare occasions I drive an automatic, I always do this if there's someone stopped behind me. Otherwise I'd be blinding them with my brake lights, which is a contravention of Highway Code rule 94: You MUST NOT
* use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users
I always keep my foot on the brake pedal, to keep the brake lights illuminated, until the car approaching from behind has almost stopped.
2007-02-26 22:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by Neil 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you are waiting for any period of time, you should apply the handbrake and shift the transmission to neutral.
If you leave the transmission in drive, the torque converter is held in the stalled position and therefore no oil is circulated through the oil cooler causing transmission overheating.
Putting the transmission into neutral allows the torque converter and associated oil pump to rotate and circulate transmission fluid through the cooler maintaining correct operating temperature.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-28 21:36:33 · answer #4 · answered by rookethorne 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, never.
Switching to neutral and back at every light will wear out your transmission quicker. I'm not sure why you would engage the e-brake at a light. If you're worried your foot might slip off and cause an accident, I would seriously think about using public transportation.
2007-02-26 04:50:33 · answer #5 · answered by Fraggle rawk 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, I'm pretty sure It's not going to help your fuel economy at all and it just gives you the opportunity to forget to put it on and risk going into the intersection or forgetting to take it off and driving with the emergency brake engaged. It's simpler and easier to just push the brake pedal.
2007-02-26 10:40:51 · answer #6 · answered by George T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely put on the handbrake, leave it in drive, and definitely keep your foot off the accelerator! When the lights change to red+amber, put your foot back on the footbrake, release the handbrake and when the lights change to green, take your foot off the brake and the car should start to slowly creep forward. When it does that, slowly squeeze the accelerator pedal to build up speed.
2007-02-26 04:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by Jester 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No you don't need to put it into neutral, just keep your foot on the brake pedal, and I'd only use the hand brake if I was starting on a hill to prevent any roll back.
2007-02-26 05:52:59 · answer #8 · answered by slim36 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it is an automatic no need the car will stay put unless you are on a hill use the breaks that is what they are there for.
2007-02-26 13:33:33 · answer #9 · answered by kibbi21 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What's the point of doing that? It just takes you longer to get going on the green light, annoying other drivers. Why not hold your foot on the brake like everyone else?
2007-02-26 12:57:35 · answer #10 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋