In city driving, we often encounter situations where we need to wait, such as waiting for a red light, waiting for a pedestrian to cross the road, etc. For drivers driving automatic transmission cars, a common practice is to put on the brakes in D gear and wait. Although this saves the trouble of switching gears back and forth, it may invisibly put a lot of pressure on the gearbox. This article will take you through the impact of the habit of applying the brakes in D gear on the gearbox when the automatic transmission is waiting for a red light, and how we should protect the transmission. Why don't you put on the brakes in D gear for a long timeThe gearbox of an automatic transmission vehicle has been designed with different driving situations and needs in mind. Normally, when the vehicle is stationary, it is ideal for the gearbox to be in neutral (n-gear). Because in neutral, the oil pump of the transmission will be dormant and will not overrun, helping to extend its service life. However, when the vehicle is in D gear and the brakes are applied, the transmission oil pump will continue to operate, exerting a certain amount of pressure on the transmission. Especially when waiting for a red light or traffic jam for a long time, the oil pump runs for too long, which will lead to an increase in oil temperature, an increase in impurities and wear particles in the oil, which in turn affects the lubrication effect and fluidity of the transmission oil. In the long run, this increases wear and tear on the internal components of the gearbox and shortens its service life. 
How to respond correctly1.Advance judgment: When approaching a red light, the vehicle can be slowed down in advance according to the distance and switch to neutral (N-gear). In this way, when the red light is on, the vehicle is already in neutral mode, avoiding the situation of hanging D gear and applying the brakes for a long time. 2.Use the parking brake: In some models, an electronic parking brake or foot brake can be used to secure the vehicle. This way, the vehicle does not move even in D gear, reducing the load on the gearbox. 3.Short stops: If you are only waiting for a short period of time, such as waiting for a pedestrian to cross the road, then it is okay to apply the brakes in D gear. However, it is still recommended to choose neutral or use the parking brake for long periods of parking. 4.Regular maintenance: In order to ensure the normal operation of the gearbox, it is essential to maintain the transmission and change the transmission oil according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance interval. At the same time, pay attention to check the quality and quantity of transmission fluid to ensure that it is in good working condition. 
5.Driving habits: Developing good driving habits is also an important part of protecting the transmission. Avoid hard acceleration, hard braking, and frequent gear changes, which can put an extra strain on the gearbox. 6.Pay attention to the water temperature: After driving for a long time, pay attention to checking the water temperature of your vehicle. If the water temperature is too high, it may be caused by the transmission oil temperature rising too quickly or due to poor heat dissipation. In this case, you should stop and rest for a while and wait for the water temperature to return to normal before continuing driving. 7.Choose regular brand transmission oil: Choosing a regular channel and quality assured transmission oil is an important condition to ensure the normal operation of the transmission. Never use inferior or counterfeit transmission fluid. 8.Regular inspection: In addition to changing the transmission oil according to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance interval, the transmission should also be checked regularly. If an abnormality is found, it should be repaired in time to avoid small problems from turning into major failures. 9.Timing of gear shifts: When driving an automatic vehicle, it is important to know when to shift gears. While most automatic transmissions are now able to shift gears automatically based on engine speed, in some cases the driver needs to do so manually. Timing shifts not only improves fuel economy, but also reduces the burden on the transmission. 10.Reasonable use mode selection: Some automatic transmission models have multiple driving modes (such as Sport, Economy, Snow, etc.). Choosing the right mode for different driving environments and needs helps to better protect the transmission and engine. 11.Understand the warranty policy: When buying a car, you should understand the transmission warranty policy provided by the manufacturer. Once there is a problem with the gearbox, it can be dealt with according to the warranty policy to reduce the repair cost. 12.Do not idle for a long time: When waiting for someone or running errands, the vehicle may be idle for a long time. In this state, the engine runs slowly, generating less heat and exhaust gases, which is not conducive to heat dissipation in the gearbox. Therefore, if you need to stop and wait for a long time, it is recommended to turn off the vehicle or choose neutral and use the parking brake. 13.Keep your distance: When driving on congested city roads, it's especially important to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. This reduces the additional stress on the gearbox caused by frequent braking and starting. 
14.Be aware of the driving environment: Try to avoid driving the vehicle in harsh environments. For example, driving in sandstorms, rain and snow may cause dirt, moisture or other impurities to enter the transmission and affect its normal operation. 15.Timely software upgrade: The control system software of some automatic transmission models can be upgraded. The upgrade allows the gearbox to optimize its shift logic and related control parameters, thereby improving its performance and reliability. If there is a message notifying you to upgrade the software, you should upgrade it in time. To sum up, in order to protect the transmission of the car and prolong its service life, during driving, we should develop good driving habits and follow the precautions mentioned above, and switch the vehicle to neutral or use the parking brake when parking for a long time to avoid the occurrence of long-term D gear and brake. At the same time, the gearbox is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure that it is always in good working condition, and I believe that every owner can become an excellent "old driver".