Does Revving the Engine in P Gear Damage the Engine?
2 Answers
Revving the engine in P gear can indeed damage the engine, with the following consequences: 1. Excessive engine temperature: This can cause certain harm to the internal components of the engine. During operation, the cooling fan dissipates heat from the engine. However, the heat dissipation differs significantly between a stationary vehicle and a moving one. When the engine is revved in P gear, the fuel combustion does not provide power to the car, and all the engine's work turns into heat while the car remains stationary. 2. Poor heat dissipation: This has a very adverse effect on the engine's belts and gears. After prolonged operation, the internal components of the engine generate substantial heat. If the car is idling, the radiator's cooling efficiency becomes significantly worse without the inflow of cold air.
From a mechanical design perspective, revving the engine in P gear generally doesn't directly cause severe damage to the engine, but it's best to avoid doing it frequently. Why is this said? Because in P gear, the transmission locks the wheels, and the engine idles without actual load. Pressing the accelerator only increases the RPM, converting all the energy from fuel combustion into heat and internal friction, which increases component wear such as piston rings and crankshafts. If the RPM is too high or lasts too long, the cooling system may not keep up, leading to overheating, oil degradation, or damage to seals. I've seen a friend who often tested the car this way, and the engine noise noticeably increased. Occasionally doing it briefly isn't a big problem, but making it a habit may shorten the engine's lifespan. It's recommended not to rev the engine after daily parking to protect the vehicle's core components.
