Can an automatic transmission car start in P gear?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car can start in P gear. After starting in P gear, passing through R gear without stopping will not damage the transmission. In daily driving, you can use P gear to start the engine. The precautions for starting the engine in P gear are as follows: 1. When in P gear, the automatic transmission is in neutral, and the output shaft is locked, which can easily cause the car to roll. Solution: Ensure the vehicle is completely stationary and place the gear lever in P gear. 2. Early wear of the automatic transmission. Solution: Ensure the vehicle is completely stationary before shifting into or out of R gear. 3. Press the brake pedal and the button on the side of the gear lever to move the gear lever out of P or N gear and into a driving gear.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade, and starting the engine with the gear in P position is absolutely standard procedure. This design is for safety - the P position locks the transmission to prevent accidental vehicle movement. Before starting the engine, I always make it a habit to press the brake pedal, shift to P position, then turn the key or press the start button, and it works smoothly every time. I remember once in a parking lot seeing a novice trying to start the car in D gear - the car almost lurched forward, which was extremely dangerous. So developing this habit is crucial to avoid accidents and protect the transmission. The same applies when parking - come to a complete stop, shift to P position, then turn off the engine, the sequence must not be reversed. In short, starting in P position is both safe and reliable, it's fundamental to vehicle design.
