Does occasionally turning off the car without shifting to P gear damage the vehicle?
2 Answers
Occasionally turning off the car without shifting to P gear will not cause damage to the vehicle, as automatic transmission models have protective measures for the gear position, so occasional occurrences of this situation are not a problem. However, try to avoid this happening multiple times, as it may affect the lifespan of the transmission. Below are some driving precautions: 1. Increase the distance from the vehicle in poor lighting conditions: If directing someone to park at night or in places with poor lighting, you should appropriately increase the distance from the vehicle and remind the driver to slow down to ensure absolute safety during the parking process. 2. Improve judgment to ensure safety: Drivers can learn from the practices of professional parking lot staff. When directing parking, you should first stand in the opposite direction of the vehicle's movement. For example, when backing up, stand diagonally in front to guide the vehicle to straighten, and only come to the side to assist in directing when you anticipate the vehicle approaching rear obstacles or other objects, ensuring effective guidance. 3. Pay attention to distance when directing in the driver's blind spots: There are many blind spots when the driver is inside the car, and these blind spots are precisely where guidance is most needed in narrow parking environments. Therefore, it is sometimes unavoidable for the guide to stand in the driver's blind spot. In such cases, intentionally maintain a distance of 2-3 meters from the vehicle. This distance does not hinder communication but ensures the safety of the guide.
As a car enthusiast with years of driving experience, I often hear this question. In fact, occasionally forgetting to shift to P before turning off the engine won’t harm your car—modern vehicles have intelligent protection systems to prevent accidental damage, such as automatic transmission lock mechanisms. The real concern is safety risks: if parked on a slope or uneven ground, skipping P could lead to rolling accidents, which is far worse than mechanical wear. My personal advice: once or twice is fine, don’t panic, but making it a habit may cause minor transmission wear and trigger false alarms. Always shift to P before shutting off—it’s a simple step to avoid hazards. Bottom line: cars are tougher than we think, but we must use them responsibly.
