Do You Need to Press the Brake When Shifting to P Gear in an Automatic Car?
3 Answers
When shifting to P gear in an automatic car, you do not need to press the brake. Below are the methods for parking an automatic car and an introduction to the car's gears: Methods for parking an automatic car: First, press the foot brake to stop the car, then shift the gear from D to N, and pull up the handbrake. Release the foot brake, but do not turn off the power, then shift the gear from N to P, and turn off the power. Introduction to car gears: Car gears include L gear, B gear, P gear, R gear, N gear, D gear, and S gear. L gear is the low gear, used when the vehicle is climbing a hill, maintaining a high RPM and low gear state. B gear is the braking gear. When the vehicle is driving on a long downhill section, you can shift to B gear, at which point engine braking will engage, avoiding accidents caused by overheating of the brake pads due to prolonged use of the service brake. P gear is the parking gear. When parking, the gear should be placed in P, and the car will stop braking, preventing the vehicle from rolling. R gear is the reverse gear, used when the vehicle is reversing. However, R gear can only be engaged when the vehicle is completely stopped. Otherwise, it can cause serious damage to the car's transmission. N gear is the neutral gear, used for short stops, such as waiting at a traffic light, when the gear can be shifted to N. D gear is the drive gear, used when the vehicle is moving forward. S gear is the sport mode, where the transmission will freely shift gears based on the current speed and the driver's throttle input, but there will be a slight delay during gear shifts.
When I first started driving an automatic car, I also thought shifting into P (Park) was simple, but after a hard lesson, I learned that pressing the brake is a must. I remember once in a sloped parking lot, I shifted into P before the car had fully stopped, and the transmission made an abnormal noise. Later, it cost me several hundred dollars to fix, and I was told the locking mechanism was damaged. So now, my habit is: when parking, firmly press the brake pedal to ensure the car doesn’t move at all, then shift into P. This allows the parking pawl to smoothly engage into the gear, avoiding forceful impacts that could damage components. An extra tip is to engage the handbrake first when parking on a slope, then shift into P to reduce stress on the transmission. Over time, this habit becomes muscle memory, protecting the vehicle and extending its lifespan, saving unnecessary repair costs. While automatic transmissions are convenient, neglecting small details can lead to problems. Paying a little more attention makes driving safer and more cost-effective.
I am passionate about car culture and often study vehicle conditions, with a particular focus on parking operations. Engaging the P (Park) gear while pressing the brake is crucial due to the mechanical structure of the transmission: the P gear locks the gear slot via a pawl, and forcibly engaging it while the car is moving can cause impact and wear on components. In practical tests, engaging the gear at low speeds produces a 'click' sound, indicating an abnormality. My approach: firmly press the brake pedal until the car comes to a complete stop, then gently push the gear lever into P. On slopes, an additional step is to engage the handbrake to share the load. While modern cars have automatic systems, older models require manual operation. Developing the right habits can save on repair costs—transmission repairs can cost thousands, so details matter. As an enthusiast, maintaining a car well is fundamental and also enhances the joy of driving.
