Can the Key Be Pulled Out Without Engaging the P Gear?

[Murphy]

No, the key cannot be pulled out without engaging the P gear. The P gear is a special neutral position that mechanically locks the transmission output shaft to secure the vehicle, functioning as a parking brake to prevent the vehicle from moving. Any gear operation related to the P gear requires the simultaneous use of the brake pedal and the button on the gear lever or pressing down the shift handle. Engaging the P gear: Press the brake pedal, then hold the safety button on the gear lever or press down the shift lever to move to any other gear position, ideally completing the action in one motion. Disengaging the P gear: Press the brake pedal, then hold the safety button on the gear lever or press down the shift lever to return any other gear position to the P gear.

[SanIsabelle]

Usually, the key cannot be removed without shifting to the P (Park) position, as the car's safety design ensures the key can only be pulled out when in P gear to prevent accidental vehicle movement. For example, if you park on a slope or in a parking lot without shifting to P gear and exit the car directly, the vehicle might roll away and cause an accident. I once heard at a car owners' gathering about someone who didn’t pay attention to this and hurriedly got out on a slope, resulting in the car sliding into the middle of the road and nearly causing a collision—fortunately, it stopped in time. It’s important to develop the habit of shifting to P gear every time you park: after stopping with the foot brake, shift to P gear, then turn off the engine and remove the key—safety first. Additional reminder: For newer car models, the system might be more sensitive. If the key gets stuck, don’t force it; first ensure the gear lever is fully engaged.

[OGriffin]

As a seasoned driver with decades of experience, I find it almost impossible to remove the key without shifting to P gear. Car manufacturers have added this safety feature to prevent carelessness: the key lock only releases when in P gear. Once when I was teaching a novice to drive, he tried to pull out the key without shifting to P gear and got stuck for a while—fortunately, no accident occurred. If the key could be removed without P gear, there would be significant risks with the car still in gear, such as forgetting to engage the handbrake or the car moving on uneven ground and causing injury. I recommend everyone develop a small routine when parking: stop → engage the foot brake → shift to P gear → turn off the engine → easily remove the key. Once you get used to this method, it’s both worry-free and safe, especially in crowded urban areas where extra caution is needed.

[MacAurora]

On automatic transmission vehicles, it's a common design that the key can only be removed in the P (Park) position. Technically, this is achieved through a simple locking mechanism: the keyhole is unlocked when shifted to P. If you can't remove the key, it might be due to the gear not being fully engaged or a minor electrical issue; forcing it out could damage the system. From a safety perspective, this protects both the vehicle and pedestrians, as failing to shift into P during temporary stops could lead to the car rolling away. Solution: Develop the habit of operating in P; if stuck, check if the gear indicator light shows P.