Can You Shift to P Gear While the Vehicle is Moving?
2 Answers
You cannot shift to P gear while the vehicle is moving for the following reasons: 1. It damages the gears; 2. It causes damage or even complete failure to the transmission and drivetrain components; 3. It accelerates gear wear inside the transmission, leading to abnormal noises. The correct methods for using the P gear are: 1. Always bring the vehicle to a complete stop before shifting into P gear from any other gear; 2. When parking on a slope, engage the handbrake first before shifting to P gear; 3. When in P gear, the mechanical drive shaft is locked, making towing impossible; 4. The P gear can only be shifted to other gears after turning the key to the power-on position; 5. When shifting from P gear to Drive, move the gear lever accurately to avoid incorrect gear selection due to impatience or other reasons.
Never shift into P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Imagine you're driving at 60 km/h and suddenly shift into P - this is no trivial matter. The P gear is specifically designed to lock the transmission when the vehicle is stationary, preventing it from rolling. Engaging it while moving forcibly jams the transmission gears, causing severe impact that can immediately damage internal components like planetary gear sets. In worst cases, the entire transmission could be destroyed, with repair costs easily running into tens of thousands. More critically, the wheels might suddenly lock, causing the vehicle to skid uncontrollably with potentially catastrophic collisions. I've repaired numerous such cases where owners carelessly shifted into P during slow coasting, only to require expensive tow-in repairs that left them stunned. The correct procedure is to gradually brake to a complete stop regardless of speed, verify the vehicle is stationary, then engage P. This protects both your car and everyone's safety. Developing this habit extends vehicle lifespan and ensures peace of mind while driving.
