Bad Effects of Positioning the Lever in D When the Automatic Car Stops

Positioning the lever in D when stopping in an automatic car is still a debate, whether it actually worsens the car or not.

Automatic car owners surely know that the gear shift consists of P, R, N, D, 2, and L.

The D symbol on an automatic car stands for 'Drive'. If you place the position in D on the vehicle, it means you are ready to go and just need to press the gas and brake pedals.

However, the debate here is whether when the vehicle stops, the gear should be positioned in D or N? To clarify this debate, let's look at the explanation below.

Is It Allowed to Keep the Lever in D When Stopped?

Many of you might still be reluctant to shift the gear to N (Neutral) when stopping. Especially at red lights, where you choose to keep pressing the brake pedal to stop the car.

However, according to automotive experts, keeping the lever in D when stopped has a high potential for damage. Why is that?

Because it will directly impact the engine mounting components, where the engine and transmission construction are integrated, thus affecting the lifespan of those components.

Negative Effects of Keeping the Lever in D When Stopped

If you are still confused about why keeping the lever in D is not allowed, it is because the D position can increase the load on the engine. Therefore, simultaneously, the power transfer from the gearbox to the wheels will be held back by the car's brakes.

This causes the engine power to increase, resulting in strong engine vibrations. This affects the engine mounting, which functions to absorb the engine vibrations.

So, indirectly, the engine mounting has to work harder to dampen the vibrations from the engine, which can shorten its lifespan. Although the damage may not be significant immediately, it will still harm your car.

Here is the Correct Lever Position When the Car is Stopped

Besides potentially damaging one of its components, namely the engine mounting, positioning the gear in D when stopped can also threaten safety, especially at red lights.

When the red light lasts a long time but you do not position the gear in D, you might inadvertently release it, causing the car to move suddenly. This often happens if you are not careful.

Therefore, to prevent unwanted incidents, it is best to know the correct lever position when the automatic car is stopped.

1. When the car is stopped for a long time, such as waiting for the green light to turn on. Position the transmission lever in N (Neutral) and then pull the parking brake lever for added safety.
2. Avoid placing the lever in D while pressing the brake pedal when waiting for a long red light. This can cause the brakes to overheat and the car to move when your foot releases the brake pedal.
3. If there are 5 seconds left on the red light before moving, it is not a problem if you do not position the lever to N. This can also make your journey more effective.

In summary, use the gear in the correct position; if your car needs to stop for a long time, position it in N. However, if it's just for a short time, around 5 seconds, using the gear in D when stopping is still acceptable.

So, has the issue of the lever in D when stopped been resolved? If you still ignore this too often, don't be surprised if your car experiences damage to the engine mounting.

If you are a Daihatsu user, it is best to avoid positioning the lever in D when stopped, as the cost for replacing the engine mounting is quite expensive. If it has already happened, be sure to visit the nearest Daihatsu service.