Does accidentally shifting into P gear at slow speed affect the car?
3 Answers
Accidentally shifting into P gear at slow speed can affect the car and may damage the transmission. If you hear a clicking sound, it is the sound of the transmission's locking mechanism skipping teeth. Prolonged occurrence of this situation can lead to the locking mechanism breaking. Do not shift gears arbitrarily when the car is not completely stationary. If you accidentally shift into P gear, simply switch the gear to neutral in time to avoid causing excessive damage to the transmission. The working principle of P gear is to lock the transmission output shaft, restricting the transmission of the output shaft to prevent the car from moving. Therefore, P gear should only be used after the car has come to a complete stop. When waiting at a red light, it is better to use neutral gear.
I accidentally shifted into P (Park) while moving slowly that time. I was reversing in the parking lot looking for a space at less than 5 km/h when I mistakenly engaged P gear. The car jolted violently like an emergency brake and made a clunking sound. Later at the 4S shop, the mechanic said the parking pawl mechanism in the transmission might have been damaged. Although it didn't fail completely that time, frequent occurrences would accelerate wear on gears or internal components, with repairs costing thousands. They advised maintaining focus while driving, avoiding distractions like phones or chatting, and only shifting after coming to a complete stop. From a safety perspective, this action forcibly locks the drivetrain, increasing accident risks. Developing good habits saves much more than repair costs – I now always engage the handbrake or firmly press the brake before touching the gearshift.
Dude, I once accidentally shifted into P while crawling at low speed, scared the hell out of me! That time in the neighborhood moving at walking pace (~5 km/h), I mis-shifted and the car jerked violently almost to a stop. My mechanic buddy said this could damage the transmission - P gear is designed to lock the drivetrain when stationary, forcing it while moving is like slamming the brakes internally, making gears take the hit. Do this often and you'll shorten component lifespan, with repairs ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands. Gotta stay sharp driving - no phone distractions or zoning out to music. Better to fully stop before shifting, prevents nasty surprises. Bottom line: focused driving saves money and headaches, keeps you off the repair shop's VIP list.
