Transmission gear when idling - D or N?
 

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.

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