Tips before traffic lights: Brake or handbrake?
I. Wait for the traffic light to do the right thing
Manual transmission models
For manual transmission models, when you need to wait at a traffic light intersection, the correct thing to do is to press the clutch first to put the car in neutral, and then pull the handbrake. This practice has three benefits:
Avoid slipping and be safer. If the manual transmission car does not pull the handbrake when idling, it is easy to cause the body to roll due to a small shake of the engine, which brings safety hazards to pedestrians and other vehicles. The handbrake can effectively fix the body and avoid this situation.
Lightens the burden on your feet. Pressing the brake pedal for a long time can put a great strain on the foot, while pulling the handbrake does not require force and greatly relieves fatigue.
Avoid long-term brake light interference with the rear car. If you press the brake pedal for a long time, the brake light will stay on, which not only increases the burden on the battery, but also may interfere and mislead the judgment of the car behind. Pulling the handbrake, on the other hand, does not light up the brake light.
Whether from the point of view of safety, comfort or vehicle maintenance, it is the best choice for manual transmission models to press the clutch and engage neutral before applying the handbrake when waiting at a red light intersection.
Automatic transmission model
For automatic transmission vehicles, the correct way to do this is to put the gear in N (neutral) first, then pull the electronic parking brake, and finally press the brake pedal lightly. This approach also has several benefits:
Reduces the burden on the engine and braking system. When an automatic transmission is in D (forward gear), the engine is always connected to the gearbox and wheels, and if the brake pedal is pressed for a long time, it will put additional burden and wear on the engine, transmission and braking system. When the Nth gear is engaged, the engine is disconnected from the wheels, which greatly reduces the burden on these systems.
Reduces fuel consumption and body shake. Pressing the brake pedal for a long time in D gear will cause the engine to be at high revs, which will increase fuel consumption. At the same time, the connection between the engine and the wheels can also cause the body to shake. When the N gear is engaged, the engine can be idle, saving fuel consumption and avoiding shaking.
Avoid the wear and tear of the gearbox caused by long-term braking. When the automatic transmission is stressed in D gear, if the brake pedal is pressed for a long time, it will accelerate the wear of the transmission. And when the Nth gear is engaged, the gearbox can be fully rested.
When the automatic transmission model is waiting at the red light intersection, the N gear is hung first and then the electronic parking brake is pulled, which can not only extend the service life of the vehicle, but also help improve driving comfort and reduce fuel consumption. If there are only a few seconds left at the red light, the automatic model can only press the brake pedal in D gear without having to pull the handbrake.
Wait for a short time with the exception of a red light
In both manual and automatic transmissions, if you only need to wait for a short time for a red light (say within 10 seconds), you can simply press the brake pedal in the current gear without pulling the handbrake. This eliminates the need to repeatedly operate the handbrake and improves driving convenience.
II. Other Tips
In addition to the correct operation of the handbrake and gear, the following tips need to be paid attention to in special scenarios:
Ramp intersections
Whether it's a short or long stop, you should apply the handbrake at a ramp junction. Because even if the brake pedal is pressed, the vehicle can easily slip on slopes. Only by pulling the handbrake can the position of the car body be reliably fixed.
Get off to a fast start
To get off to a fast start and stay safe after the red light turns green, take the following steps: First, in the last few seconds of the red light, release the clutch (manual transmission) or release the brake pedal (automatic transmission) to allow the car to move slowly. Wait until the body is fully moved, then slowly increase the throttle to complete the start. This method can avoid the wheel slippage caused by slamming on the accelerator, and it is more smooth and efficient.
Proper use of the handbrake, clutch and gear while waiting at a traffic light intersection can not only improve driving safety, but also extend the life of the vehicle and reduce fuel consumption. Mastering tips for scenarios such as slopes and starting can help you develop good driving habits and improve your driving skills. As a qualified driver, it is very necessary to learn and master these skills.