Can You Press the Accelerator in P Gear?

[VanJuniper]

You can press the accelerator when the vehicle is in P gear. When shifted to P gear, the engine is disconnected from the transmission. Pressing the accelerator only increases the engine speed, and the power is not transmitted to the transmission, so it does not involve the braking system. Here is an introduction to the gears of an automatic transmission car: 1. P (Park) Gear. When parking the car, the gear lever must be shifted to P position. 2. R (Reverse) Gear. 3. N (Neutral) Gear. The N position is equivalent to neutral and can be used when starting or towing the car. 4. D (Drive) Gear. During normal driving, place the gear lever in D position, and the car will automatically shift between gears 1 to 3 or 4, 5. D gear is the most commonly used gear. 5. L (Low) Gear. In this gear, the transmission will stay in 1st gear without shifting up, which can be used on slopes and other situations.

[LeQuinn]

I remember once in a parking lot when I accidentally stepped on the gas pedal while the car was in P (Park) mode. The engine roared, but the wheels didn't move an inch—it felt like such a waste. Pressing the accelerator in P mode is really not worth it because the transmission is designed to lock the wheels. Stepping on the gas only makes the engine rev without load, burning fuel needlessly and increasing noise. Doing this frequently may accelerate wear on internal components, leading to costly repairs. There are also safety risks, such as the vehicle slightly moving on uneven ground and potentially harming people or objects nearby. My advice is to develop good habits: when parked, keep it in P mode and just use the brake—don't touch the accelerator. Only press the gas when shifting to D (Drive) or R (Reverse) for movement. Paying attention to these small details in daily driving can help your car last longer and run more smoothly.

[LaCali]

As someone who has driven automatic transmissions for over a decade, I've realized that pressing the accelerator in P (Park) mode is a misconception. When the transmission is in Park, the gears are locked, and stepping on the gas only revs the engine without transferring power to the wheels. This practice not only wastes fuel but may also cause internal damage to the transmission due to vibrations, such as to pistons or bushings. A mechanic friend told me that similar cases often result in costly repairs or part replacements. The best approach is to avoid this habit—when parked, just stay put. If you really want to rev the engine, do it in Neutral for testing purposes. Maintaining a vehicle starts with these small details, protecting mechanical components to extend their lifespan.

[DelMelanie]

I always remind myself not to step on the accelerator in P gear while driving, but it's useless. When the car is parked in gear, stepping on the gas won't make the car move, it only consumes fuel and makes noise. Over time, the transmission can easily develop problems. The correct method is to release the accelerator when in P gear, and stepping on the brake is enough to stabilize the car. Developing good habits ensures safety and convenience.