Can an automatic transmission car be parked in neutral gear?
4 Answers
An automatic transmission car should not be parked in neutral gear. It is better to park in P (Park) gear. If parked in neutral, the car's modules will not go into sleep mode and will continue to discharge, leading to battery drain. However, when waiting at a red light or temporarily stopping for two to three minutes, you can shift to neutral gear, but you must keep your foot on the brake and engage the handbrake. There is a difference between P gear and neutral gear. Neutral gear simply stops the car without providing any braking force, relying on the handbrake for braking. Traditional handbrakes use a steel cable to pull the rear brake shoes to restrain the rear wheels. The P (Park) gear, on the other hand, has a pawl inside the engine to prevent the car from being pushed, which is different from neutral gear. Nowadays, many cars require the gear to be in P to remove the key or lock the car. If you prefer not to use P gear and instead use neutral gear with the handbrake, it is acceptable as long as you can remove the key and lock the car.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for many years, and I absolutely never park in neutral. Putting the car in neutral is like only disconnecting the engine from the wheels without securing the vehicle body. On even a slight slope, the car can easily roll away. Once, I parked without noticing the incline and left it in neutral. As soon as I got out, I saw the car slowly sliding toward the curb. Fortunately, I managed to get back in time to fix it. The correct procedure is to first engage the parking brake to secure the wheels after coming to a complete stop with the foot brake, then shift into Park (P) to lock the transmission system. This double safety measure is much more secure. Neutral is only acceptable for towing or brief stops, like at traffic lights, but for prolonged parking, always make it a habit to shift into Park. Otherwise, the safety risks are significant—if the car rolls and hits someone or something, the consequences could be serious. Safety should always come first in our daily driving; don't cut corners for convenience.
Back when I was a newbie learning to drive, I once got curious and shifted into neutral while parking, almost causing the car to move on its own. My instructor yelled at me in a panic, saying that wasn't allowed. The P (Park) gear is specifically designed to lock the wheels when parking, preventing any slippage, while neutral merely disconnects the engine from the wheels, suitable for towing or brief stops. Now I understand—when parking, always brake firmly first, engage the handbrake tightly, and then shift into P gear. The whole process should feel natural. I have younger friends who often park in neutral for convenience, only to end up with their cars rolling downhill and causing rear-end collisions, with insurance refusing to cover the repair costs. It's fine to shift into neutral at red lights to rest your foot, but don't take risks when parking—developing good habits is what matters most.
From a basic mechanical perspective, shifting an automatic transmission into neutral means the engine is not driving the wheels, but the wheels themselves aren't locked. Parking requires shifting to P (Park) because the P position has a pawl mechanism that locks the transmission, keeping the vehicle stationary. In neutral, the car can be pushed freely and is highly prone to rolling on slopes, which can cause accidents. Using N (Neutral) for short stops like at traffic lights is acceptable, but prolonged parking carries significant risks - always use P (Park) plus the parking brake for dual protection. Don't risk major losses for minor conveniences; protect both your vehicle and people.
