Correct procedure (stopping at traffic lights)

leslie · Friday at 9:30 PM

Can someone tell me the correct procedure when coming to a stop at traffic lights.
1/Do you stay in drive with your foot on the brake or 2/ select neutral and apply handbrake.
From what I've read so far no.1 is the preferred option but surely at night that means dazzling the driver behind.

MG Clive · Friday at 9:41 PM

I'm not sure if there is a correct procedure, but I'd come to a stop on the foot brake, then hit P on the gear selector, this applies the 'handbrake' and makes sure you're not going to roll backwards or forwards.

leslie · Friday at 9:44 PM

Wow ...hadn't thought of that one

Countjagular · 2025-04-26T09:51:51+0100

Unless I anticipate a long wait, I simply flick up the handbrake switch ( the little red light on the switch will come on) while still in drive. Auto releases as soon as you touch the throttle again to move off. Long wait, then I agree with Clive, put it in park, as above.

Carlos D · 2025-04-26T11:25:10+0100

If it is a traffic light stop (for just a few seconds), Auto Hold will take care of it. Just make sure you came to a full stop to assure Auto Hold enables.

All that Jazz · 2025-04-26T15:00:53+0100

I wonder why people fiddle with the handbrake or the gear selector when you have auto hold... Too easy?

MG Clive · 2025-04-26T16:47:39+0100

All that Jazz said:
I wonder why people fiddle with the handbrake or the gear selector when you have auto hold... Too easy?

Yes the auto hold is great, but you can often be stuck at a set of traffic lights for 2 or 3 minutes, and for me, that's too long on auto hold, that's why I'd 'Park' just to be sure and safe.

Aitch1 · 2025-04-26T21:46:32+0100

MG Clive said:
Yes the auto hold is great, but you can often be stuck at a set of traffic lights for 2 or 3 minutes, and for me, that's too long on auto hold, that's why I'd 'Park' just to be sure and safe.

Clive, why do you say 'too long on auto hold'? Is there a time limit? I've not seen any comments about this before. I use auto hold all the time, unless I'm actually parked up for a good few minutes. Aitch

All that Jazz · 2025-04-26T23:01:56+0100

When I read on page 172 of the manual: https://www.mg.co.uk/sites/default/files/2024-06/MG3_Hybrid_Owner_Manual.pdf

"If the vehicle is required to stop frequently for long periods while driving (such as waiting at the traffic lights, stopping on a slope or in urban stop-and-go conditions), the AutoHold function can assist you in stabilising the vehicle, allowing you to remove your foot from the brake pedal when the vehicle is stationary and the Auto Hold is active."

and on the same page:

"When auto hold stops the vehicle, for reasons such as engine shut-down, releasing the seat belt or pressing the auto hold switch, the electronic parking brake is applied.

...then I really don't believe it is necessary to manually activate the hand/parking brake or put the gear selector in "P", since that electronic parking brake was already applied, right?

Correct procedure (stopping at traffic lights)

leslie

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MG Clive

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leslie

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Countjagular

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Carlos D

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All that Jazz

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MG Clive

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Aitch1

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All that Jazz

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