When we drive an automatic transmission vehicle to face the traffic light, many drivers and friends begin to struggle: whether to step on the brakes with D gear, or switch to N gear and pull the handbrake? Will the two methods cause damage to the car? In fact, you can rest assured that whether it is an AT gearbox or most CVT gearboxes, the connection between the transmission and the engine is not hard-hitting, but operates through the "soft mediator" of the torque converter.
Imagine a torque converter like two electric fans talking to each other through the air – the engine acts as an active fan blade, agitating the hydraulic oil to rotate the transmission input, and when you apply the brakes, it's like blocking the passive fan blades from turning with the wind, which consumes wind energy (i.e. the energy of the hydraulic fluid) instead of damaging the machine. The vehicle shakes because the torque converter is still working, and the pump wheel is constantly agitating the oil, which inevitably produces small vibrations. The dual-clutch gearbox has a different mechanism, but when you come to a complete stop and apply the brakes, the clutch also disengages, so there is no need to worry about putting pressure on the transmission.
Since neither approach damages the vehicle, which is better? It depends on whether you are looking for an absolute sense of security or a convenient operating experience. Rationalists must say: "For the sake of safety, hanging N gear and pulling the handbrake is undoubtedly the best solution." As Huang Qiuju, Feng Shuming and others described in an experiment in the Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology, when they observed the driver's foot control behavior, they found that the force required to apply the brakes was about 26 to 42 Newtons, even if calculated according to the minimum standard of 26 Newtons, which is equivalent to the force of gently lifting a weight of 5 catties. If you step on the brakes for a long time, your leg muscles may **, and if you are not careful to relax, the car may slip forward, increasing the risk of rear-end collision. Therefore, hanging the N-gear handbrake is undoubtedly the best solution to wait for the red light for a long time.
However, for the pragmatist, applying the brakes in D gear is clearly better than ease of operation. No one knows whether the red light flashes in 5 seconds or is a long torment, so why bother "guessing lantern riddles" every time? You must know that the action of frequently switching N gear to pull the handbrake can ensure safety, but it is also slightly cumbersome. Especially in today's modern technology, if your car is equipped with an auto hold function, even if it is a long waiting time at a red light, you don't have to switch to N gear, and enjoy the convenience brought by technology with peace of mind.
Overall, the choice of a red light to be in a safe gear, like many in life, depends on whether you prefer to feel more secure or embrace a modern lifestyle that is convenient and efficient. However, no matter which side you're on, remember that safety always comes first, and convenience and comfort can't be overlooked. The next time you're hesitating in front of a red light, you might as well joke: "Am I the 'N party' who waits steadily, or am I the 'D control' who does whatever I want?" "Let the vignettes on the road also become the talk of the conversation after dinner.
Multiple choice questions at red light intersections are not only about driving habits, but also about personal style. Thank you for accompanying us on this interesting topic of driving, don't forget to follow this account, bookmark this article, and let more friends join this discussion of "gearing philosophy". In the next article, we will continue to dig into those trivia and interesting phenomena in the automotive world, so be sure to check them out! See you next time!