Do I Need to Shift to P Gear When Parking for Refueling?
4 Answers
Shifting to P gear is necessary when parking for refueling. Many car models nowadays cannot be turned off without shifting to P gear, which is a safety measure to prevent drivers from forgetting to engage P gear. In essence, P gear is similar to N gear, except that when P gear is engaged, a pawl inside the transmission locks the output shaft, preventing the vehicle from moving. Below are some key points about parking in P gear: 1. Key Point One: It's important to note that the handbrake must be engaged before shifting to P gear. Only the handbrake can truly prevent the car from moving. 2. Key Point Two: The function of P gear is similar to engaging first gear in a manual transmission to prevent rolling. Simply put, when the vehicle is subjected to external force, the handbrake should be engaged first to bear the force. If P gear is engaged first, the transmission bears the force. If the handbrake fails, it's not a big issue as it's easy and inexpensive to repair. However, if the transmission is damaged, it can be quite troublesome. 3. Key Point Three: The transmission of automatic vehicles has a limited capacity to withstand external forces, approximately around 20,000 newtons of pressure. If the driver shifts to P gear before turning off the engine, especially on uneven roads, the vehicle's weight will exert force on the transmission gears due to gravity.
Having driven for decades and taught at driving schools, I always emphasize proper fueling procedures. With automatic transmissions, you must shift into P (Park) because it's specifically designed to lock the transmission securely, preventing vehicle movement on slopes or slippery surfaces. Simply using Neutral or relying solely on the parking brake risks dangerous rollaways if the brake fails or on steep inclines, potentially causing collisions with fuel pumps or pedestrians – an unacceptable hazard. For manual transmissions, I engage Neutral and firmly apply the parking brake. After witnessing a close call where a student forgot Park gear, I've made it non-negotiable: confirm P position before shutting off the engine, then open doors for refueling. This few-second routine prevents disasters, and cultivating such habits benefits lifelong driving safety.
As a novice driver, I was confused about the gears during my first independent refueling. A friend told me that when refueling an automatic car, you must shift to P (Park) gear, which acts like a fixed lock for the car, ensuring it doesn't accidentally move, especially in the crowded and noisy environment of a gas station. For manual transmission cars, just shift to neutral and pull the handbrake tight. That time, I forgot to shift gears, and the car moved forward slightly, which scared me out of my wits. Since then, I've developed a simple routine: shift to P gear before turning off the engine, making the action smooth. Remembering this small step makes the operation stress-free, and even beginners can quickly get the hang of it.
When driving my child to school, I always shift to P (Park) while refueling. This is essential to prevent the car from rolling when unattended, avoiding accidents. For automatic transmissions, shifting to P (Park) provides a secure lock, while for manual transmissions, shifting to neutral and engaging the handbrake is the way to go. Developing this habit makes life easier and worry-free.
