Regarding automatic transmissions, when idling for an excessive period at the traffice lights (eg 5-10 minutes) whilst stuck in the peak hour crawl, is it OK to leave the transmission in Drive, or should one slip it into Neutral?

My car is an 82 280E W123. Recently replaced the rear band so my paranoia should be obvious.

Thankyou
Spiro

I once read that if you're gonna be stopped for more than a minute, then you should put it into Neutral to give the transmission a rest. I do it.

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I always put it in neutral when I stop to keep the torque converter from heating up the transmission.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record