Does Slipping a Little After Engaging P Gear Affect the Car?
2 Answers
Engaging P gear and experiencing slight slippage does affect the car, as it is an automatic locking mechanism. Its principle involves using mechanical lock teeth to secure the power transmission gear, ensuring the wheels do not rotate. The operation of the P gear locking mechanism relies on the pressure from the return spring, preload spring, and pawl spring to ensure the lock teeth properly engage with the grooves on the output shaft gear. The P gear stands for Parking gear, R for Reverse gear, N for Neutral gear, D for Drive gear, L for Low gear, S for Sport mode, and OD for Overdrive gear. The correct method to engage P gear is: 1. After reaching the parking spot, keep the brake pedal pressed until the vehicle comes to a complete stop; 2. Shift the gear lever into N gear without releasing the brake; 3. Engage the handbrake and release the foot brake; 4. Wait for the vehicle to stabilize, then press the brake again and shift into P gear. Once completed, exit the vehicle and lock it securely.
After driving for so many years, I often encounter situations where the car still rolls a bit after shifting to P (Park) gear. This is quite common on slopes or uneven roads, mainly because the P gear relies on a locking mechanism in the transmission to secure the drivetrain. A slight roll is part of the engagement process and doesn’t affect the engine or core components. An occasional roll won’t cause much harm—it’s similar to the slight jolt during normal gear shifts. However, if the car is frequently left to roll while parked, over time the locking mechanism may wear excessively, and the transmission fluid may not lubricate adequately. That’s why I always engage the parking brake firmly before shifting to P gear, making it a habit to protect the car. By the way, regular checks on the parking brake and transmission can help prevent future issues.
