Can an automatic transmission car be started in P gear?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car can be started in P gear. Starting in P gear and then passing through R gear without stopping will not cause additional damage to the transmission. Therefore, in daily driving: You can directly start the engine in P gear, as long as you ensure not to stay in R gear, it will not cause extra harm to the transmission. Additional information: 1. The gears of an automatic transmission are P, R, N, D. In P gear, the automatic transmission is in neutral, and a mechanical lever locks the output shaft to prevent the car from rolling. Of course, the gear lever should only be placed in P gear when the vehicle is completely stationary. 2. R gear, the reverse gear, should only be engaged or disengaged when the vehicle is completely stationary, otherwise it will cause premature wear of the automatic transmission. If you need to push or tow the vehicle, you must use N gear. When towing the vehicle, the towing speed should not exceed 50km/h, and the towing distance should not exceed 50km, otherwise it will damage the planetary gear mechanism of the automatic transmission.
I've driven many automatic transmission cars before, and starting the engine in P mode is completely fine and actually very safe. The car is designed this way—when the gear lever is in P, it means the wheels are locked and won't roll unexpectedly. As soon as the engine starts, you're ready to go. I remember one time my friend tried to start the car in D mode, but the engine wouldn't turn over. He panicked, thinking the car was broken. Later, a mechanic explained that the safety system automatically prevents starting if the gear isn't in the correct position. Nowadays, newer cars are even smarter—the dashboard will remind you to shift back to P mode. Make it a habit to check that the gear is in P before starting the engine; it's worry-free and safe. Don't worry about malfunctions—just operate it normally.
