Can You Shift to P Gear After an Automatic Car Stalls?
3 Answers
Automatic cars can be shifted to P gear after stalling. The gears of an automatic car are as follows: 1. P gear is the parking gear, used for long-term parking of the vehicle; 2. R gear is the reverse gear, engaged when the vehicle needs to move backward; 3. N gear is the neutral gear, used when the vehicle is parked for a short time without stalling; 4. D gear is the drive gear, where the vehicle automatically shifts gears based on throttle opening and speed data when the gear lever is in D; 5. S gear is the sport mode, making the vehicle drive more sportily; 6. M gear refers to the manual mode, where gear shifting is done manually by the driver when the gear lever is in M; 7. L gear is the low-speed gear.
As a long-time driver, I can tell you that shifting to P (Park) after turning off an automatic transmission car is perfectly fine. The P gear is designed to lock the transmission and prevent the car from rolling away, functioning whether the engine is on or off. There have been many times when I got out of the car and realized I hadn't shifted to P, so I quickly went back to do it, and the car was completely fine. However, from a safety perspective, it's best to develop the habit of shifting to P before turning off the engine—this makes the operation smoother and reduces potential wear on the transmission. When parking on a slope, relying solely on P isn't enough; always use the handbrake as a backup. Overall, shifting to P after turning off the engine is fine, but don't make it a habit—prioritizing standard procedures makes driving safer and more worry-free.
I drive automatic transmission cars quite often, and I've personally tried shifting into P after turning off the engine multiple times - it absolutely works. The P gear is just a locking mechanism, and whether the engine is running or not doesn't affect its function. You might need to apply a bit more force to push it into gear after shutting down, but it's fine as long as the car is stationary. Modern vehicle designs have taken this scenario into account, so it's completely feasible. However, I'd still recommend shifting into P before turning off the engine as it better aligns with the manual's instructions and protects vehicle components. Don't forget to use the parking brake in combination, especially when parking on uneven surfaces - the dual protection prevents accidental rolling. Paying attention to these small details can make your driving life more secure and efficient.
