Can You Start the Engine in P Gear for Automatic Transmission?
2 Answers
You can start the engine in P gear for automatic transmission. As long as you do not pause when shifting from P gear through R gear after starting the engine, it will not cause damage to the transmission. Introduction to the gears of an automatic transmission car: 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, engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine; 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 gear; 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 gear; 7. L gear is the low gear.
After driving for so many years, I deeply understand the importance of ignition habits for automatic transmissions. Using the P (Park) gear to start the engine is definitely a viable option—it's part of my daily routine, especially when restarting the car after parking. The engine starts smoothly every time. The design of automatic transmissions is quite thoughtful; for safety reasons, the key can only be turned when the gear is locked in P, preventing accidental ignition in D (Drive) or R (Reverse) gears, which could cause sudden vehicle movement and potential harm. If parking on a slope, I also make it a habit to engage the handbrake before ignition, adding an extra layer of protection to prevent the car from rolling. Remember, all automatic transmission cars are designed to start in P gear, unless it's an older model with specific exceptions. My Volkswagen and Toyota have always worked this way without any issues. I recommend beginners adopt this habit to ensure a safe and worry-free start every time.