Can You Start the Engine in P Gear for an Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
You can start the engine in P gear for an automatic transmission. After starting in P gear and passing through R gear, as long as you do not pause, there will be no additional damage to the transmission. Therefore, in daily driving, it is perfectly fine to start the engine in P gear, as long as you ensure not to linger in R gear, which will not cause extra harm to the transmission. Common gears for automatic transmissions include P gear, N gear, R gear, D gear, L gear, S gear, and M gear. Among these, P gear is the parking gear; N gear is the neutral gear; R gear is the reverse gear; D gear is the drive gear; L gear is the low gear, also known as the climbing gear; S gear is the sport gear, also known as sport mode.
As an ordinary person who drives frequently, I've always been used to starting my automatic transmission car in the P (Park) position. This is completely fine! The P gear is specifically designed for parking and starting - it locks the transmission to prevent the car from rolling during ignition, which is especially important for safety on slopes. Here's my usual routine: after parking, I shift to P, press the brake pedal, then press the start button or turn the key. The engine starts right away. Never attempt to start in other gears like D (Drive), as the car might suddenly lurch forward or backward, which could lead to serious accidents. Also, most modern vehicles have safety mechanisms that make it difficult to start in D gear, but developing the habit of starting in P is still better. With more driving experience, you'll find this practice helps avoid starting issues, and regular checks of the gear position switch can extend your car's lifespan. Remembering this simple step will give you greater peace of mind while driving.
