Keeping car in gear at traffic lights

[Kdes]

I’ve always thought automatics could be held in gear on the brake at lights. The ftype handbook says that this should not be done for long periods but but doesn’t say how long. I guess that there is an assumption that the eco mode auto stop will mean this doesn’t happen. So for those that have disabled or turned off the auto start/stop how long do you hold in gear or do you knock it into neutral?

Kev

[Aitch]

I really should RTFM so haven't read that bit.

I use the parking brake switch at the lights and just gently (or otherwise) accelerate away once green.

[DaddyDarren]

If lights just turned red, or if I’m at busy junction waiting, I always knock it into neutral &, if required, use foot brake.

First job after pressing Start button is to turn off Eco. Don’t like thought of wear on starter motor & other components. Must lead to premature failure, down the line, against letting engine idle?

[cj10jeeper]

There's no easy or right answer
Stopping and holding a car on the brakes risks pad transfer to disks if they are hot, say having braked from motorway speed to a junction. That's never good and causes vibration until cleaned off
Putting autos in neutral causes more wear than leaving them in drive but of course leaving in drive a long time isn't good either and can heat up the box
Neutral is also not good for a quick getaway
Foot on brake pedal isn't nice for following cars at night sat in traffic

The answer to me is all about the circumstances under which you have stopped and for how long. If stopped in traffic and going nowhere I'd perhaps go to neutral, but general leave it on the handbrake and just drive off when ready. No brake lights, no miss gear selection, no delay nor foot on brake damaging pads..

[wolfy689]

I have been driving automatic cars for over 20 years and never had an issue. I do this exactly, the only exception is if in heavy traffic that is not moving I just stick it into park mode.

[gsxrm3]

I have been driving automatic cars for over 20 years and never had an issue. I do this exactly, the only exception is if in heavy traffic that is not moving I just stick it into park mode.

I do the exact same thing