Can the car be turned off without shifting to P gear?
3 Answers
No, the car cannot be turned off without shifting to P gear. Here is an introduction to turning off the car in P gear: 1. P gear is the most common gear in automatic transmission models, usually located at the frontmost position of the gear shift console, in front of the R gear. Its purpose is to lock the axle when the car is stationary on a slope. 2. After shifting the car into P gear and then pulling the handbrake, the car may still move slightly. This is because P gear is equivalent to the manual transmission model's gear lock, meaning it only serves as an auxiliary brake. If you shift into P gear first, since its locking mechanism has already engaged with the transmission, the effect of pulling the handbrake at this time is not significant. However, doing this for a long time may damage the transmission. When the vehicle is on a slope, always pull the handbrake first before shifting into P gear. Many vehicles have difficulty disengaging P gear when parked on a slope. When parking, pulling the handbrake first mainly allows the handbrake to bear most of the impact force, reducing the damage to the transmission. 3. The most basic point is that before shifting to P gear and pulling the handbrake, the brake pedal must always be pressed, and only after turning off the engine can the brake be released.
I've been driving for over a decade, and honestly, you can turn off the engine without shifting to P, technically the engine will stop, but I strongly advise against it. Automatic transmissions are designed with a specific sequence in mind. If you turn off the car in N or D, the wheels won't be fully locked, and on a slope, the car could roll away—that's dangerous. The P gear is there to securely lock the transmission system, preventing rollback that could hurt someone or damage parts. I once had a novice friend who turned off the car in neutral, and the car rolled into a ditch, costing thousands to fix the transmission—what a waste. Make it a habit to shift to P before turning off the engine. It's not just about safety; it also extends your car's lifespan and saves you repair costs. Every time I park, I remind myself not to cut corners.
I usually drive to and from work, and occasionally skip steps when in a hurry. It is indeed possible to turn off the engine without shifting to P, but be careful of the consequences. The transmission may be damaged due to sudden stoppage, and the shifting components could suffer impact. Over time, repair costs will add up. Once, I was in a hurry at a mall parking lot and turned off the engine in neutral—the car even wobbled slightly. It scared me, and I checked the manual only to realize the issue. The automatic transmission safety guidelines emphasize P as the priority to prevent slipping. New drivers, in particular, should be cautious—don’t skip steps to save time. Protecting the car also protects yourself. Taking a little time to develop good habits is both safe and cost-effective.
