Can the vehicle be started in P gear?
2 Answers
The vehicle can be started in P gear. After shifting into P gear, the pawl gear at the end of the output shaft will engage and lock the output shaft. This effectively cuts off the power connection between the transmission and the wheels, preventing them from rotating in the same direction. Starting the vehicle in P gear will not cause the vehicle to lurch forward or backward. P gear: "Parking" means "to park." It is the parking gear used when the vehicle is parked. When you reach your destination or need to park for an extended period, shift the gear lever into this position. Note: The vehicle must be completely stopped before shifting into P gear. Shifting into P gear before the vehicle has fully stopped can cause damage to parts of the automatic transmission. When in P gear, the wheels are mechanically locked, preventing the vehicle from moving forward or backward. Therefore, it is essential to shift into P gear when parking on an incline. Additionally, during brief stops (e.g., at traffic lights), it is best not to shift into P gear to avoid severe damage to the entire transmission in case of a rear-end collision. Besides, automatic transmission vehicles also have other gear positions such as R, N, S, M, L, and D, each with different gear combinations that deliver varying power outputs. The vehicle must "shift gears"—i.e., select different gear combinations—to output power at different speeds. Below is a detailed explanation: R gear: "Reverse" means "to go backward." Whether manual or automatic, R is the reverse gear. Shifting into R gear makes the vehicle move backward. This gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling. Never use R gear while the vehicle is moving forward, and pay special attention to accelerator control when reversing. N gear: "Neutral" means "disengaged." Also known as the neutral gear, it can be engaged while waiting at traffic lights with the foot brake applied. If the wait is prolonged, it is advisable to engage the handbrake, allowing the foot to rest off the brake pedal. A common misconception is that shifting into N gear while coasting downhill or at high speeds saves fuel. This is a serious mistake—it not only fails to save fuel but can also damage the transmission. S gear: "Sport" refers to the sport mode in vehicles. When this gear is engaged, the transmission delays shifting to provide greater power, typically used when overtaking. M gear: "Manual" means "hand-controlled," referring to the manual mode in vehicles. Similar to manual transmission vehicles, it requires manual gear shifting. L gear: "Low" means "low speed," referring to the low-speed forward gear. When this gear is engaged, the transmission operates only in the lowest gear (equivalent to 1st gear in manual transmissions) and does not automatically shift to other gears based on speed. This gear is typically used when climbing or descending steep slopes. In low gear, the drive wheels deliver high torque, ensuring sufficient power for steep climbs. Prolonged braking can overheat the brake pads, reducing braking effectiveness, which is dangerous on long or steep descents. Engaging L gear allows the engine's low RPM to restrain the vehicle's movement, eliminating the need for constant braking. D gear: "Drive" means "to operate." Shifting into this gear and pressing the accelerator allows the vehicle to move. In this gear, the transmission automatically shifts based on speed and accelerator input. At traffic lights, the vehicle can remain in D gear with the foot brake applied. For short waits, this is acceptable, but prolonged idling in D gear can raise transmission fluid temperature and degrade the fluid.
In my daily driving experience, the P gear is absolutely the standard position for ignition start. P stands for Park, designed specifically to prevent vehicle rolling during engine startup by locking the transmission. Most automatic transmission vehicles explicitly require starting in either P or N gear; otherwise, the dashboard will issue a warning or simply not respond. Attempting to start in D gear may cause the engine to stall immediately or lead to transmission damage, which is a major headache. I once witnessed a friend mistakenly starting in N gear on a slope, nearly causing the car to roll back, and later spent thousands on repairs. Therefore, developing the habit of shifting to P gear after every stop is crucial for smoother and safer engine ignition. Car manuals emphasize this point—safety first. Additionally, in older models, starting in a non-P gear might trigger an engine lockout, requiring a tow truck and causing unnecessary delays. In short, starting in P gear is standard practice; just ensure it's done correctly.
