Does shifting into P gear once without stopping the car have any impact?
2 Answers
Shifting into P gear once without stopping the car has no impact and generally will not damage the gearshift mechanism, as automatic transmission models have protective measures for the gears. If this situation occurs only occasionally, there is no problem, but it should be avoided as much as possible. If this happens frequently over a long period, it can damage the transmission gears. Shifting an automatic transmission car into P gear without coming to a complete stop will subject the transmission's locking function to considerable pressure. The correct way to park and shift gears: Before parking, the car should first decelerate. After the car comes to a complete stop, shift from D gear to N gear, then pull up the handbrake, release the foot brake, and turn off the engine. After turning off the engine, shift from N gear to P gear, and finally remove the key. It is important to note that when shifting gears in an automatic transmission car, the brake must be pressed.
When I first started driving, I often took shortcuts by shifting into P gear before the car came to a complete stop, thinking it was no big deal to do it occasionally. However, during one maintenance check, the mechanic found some looseness in the transmission and increased wear. It turns out that in automatic transmission cars, shifting into P gear locks the output shaft. If the wheels are still moving, forcing the gears to engage can cause damage. While a single mistake is unlikely to break major components, repeated errors can lead to issues like internal pawl fractures or oil seal leaks. Now, I've developed the habit of waiting until the wheels completely stop and hearing the engine RPM drop before shifting. Remember, safety comes first—don’t cut corners to save time, or you might end up spending a fortune on repairs and shortening your transmission’s lifespan.
