smart: Besides finding other routes, it takes just as long sometimes where I live. Is keeping the automatic shifter in 1st or 2nd a smart idea? Therefore you're using the brakes less, but is this killing the transmission? I'm not talking about down shifting when moving, i mean just keeping it in 1st or second, so when I let off the gas, the car slows down easier without using so much of the brakes? Whats odd though is that when i'm in 2, it shifts from 1st to 2nd differently it seems vs. shifting from 1st to 2nd when in normal D thanks!How to drive smart, in traffic jams, with an automatic transmission?Seems that you are getting bored. Find an alternate route or hit the road on different hours. Seems that you do not have a VW or a Porsche with a TipTronic. So leave it on D and drive it normally. Give yourself some room and do not tailgate. That way you do not burn the brakes.How to drive smart, in traffic jams, with an automatic transmission?youra gonna burn up your tranny /expensive put her in drive and let her go