Can You Shift from N to P Without Pressing the Brake?
4 Answers
You can shift from N to P without pressing the brake. Below is some relevant information about gear shifting: Function: It allows the car to drive at a very low and stable speed, which is difficult to achieve solely by the internal combustion engine's minimum stable speed. The transmission's reverse gear enables the car to move backward, while the neutral gear allows the engine to be separated from the drivetrain for extended periods during engine startup, parking, or coasting. Operating Instructions: Start in 1st gear. When the tachometer needle reaches around 2000 RPM, shift to 2nd gear. Then, when the tachometer reaches around 2000 RPM again, shift to 3rd gear. Next, observe the speedometer. When the speedometer needle points to around 40 mph, shift to 4th gear. At this point, the car can drive for a while. Then, when the speedometer needle points to around 60 mph, you can shift to the highest gear, 5th gear.
Once a mechanic told me that it's actually possible to shift an automatic transmission car from neutral to park without pressing the brake, but I never dare to do it now. The main reason is that when the car hasn't completely stopped, such as on a slope or uneven ground, shifting into park causes the transmission's parking pawl to abruptly engage with a loud metallic clunk. My old Toyota suffered from this and cost over 3,000 yuan to repair. While occasionally doing this for short-distance moves might be fine, over time the locking mechanism can deform and seize up. The correct procedure is to firmly press the brake until fully stopped before shifting to park, so the transmission doesn't suffer damage.
I've been driving automatic transmissions for ten years and have tested the operating logic of different models. Nowadays, most cars can shift from N to P without pressing the brake, and cars with electronic gear levers may even prompt that the operation is invalid. The real concern is the safety risk: once on a slope, I shifted to P without pressing the brake, and the moment I released the foot, the car rolled back, causing a screeching sound from the locking gear. The transmission repair manual mentions that such forceful shifting can lead to premature wear of the parking pawl, and in severe cases, it may require opening the gearbox for repairs. So even when in a hurry, I always press the brake to stop completely before shifting, and I also engage the handbrake for double safety.
Last year, I drove a friend's German car and shifted into P without pressing the brake, causing the transmission to immediately throw a fault code. The 4S technician explained that such an action suddenly locks the driveshaft, directing all torque impact onto the parking gear. While modern transmission designs allow for emergency operations, frequent misuse can damage the clearance sensor. They advised that this emergency maneuver may be acceptable for flat-ground parking, but always ensure the wheels are completely stationary—ideally with the tires against the stopper before shifting. Never attempt this on slopes; I've seen cases where it led to complete seizure requiring a tow.
