Does stalling in D gear harm the engine?

[VanWillow]

Stalling in D gear does not harm the engine. Below is an explanation of why stalling in D gear doesn't damage the engine and the correct procedures to follow after stalling: Reasons why stalling in D gear doesn't harm the engine: Many modern vehicles are equipped with an engine start-stop system. This means that when you stop at a traffic light and hold the brake for more than one second, the engine automatically stalls while the gear remains in D position. This is completely fine as the vehicle's computer handles all background operations. The engine automatically restarts when you press the accelerator again. Correct procedures after stalling: Always stall the engine in P gear before removing the key. If the engine stalls in D gear, you must shift to P gear before restarting to avoid damaging the transmission. It is not permitted to keep the gear in D position after stalling. Gear shifts should always be performed after the vehicle comes to a complete stop - for example, shifting to N gear requires the vehicle to be fully stopped, and the same applies to R gear. Following these procedures will prevent transmission damage.

[LeRobert]

I used to be careless when driving an automatic transmission car. Once, I turned off the engine directly in D gear, and the car shook violently, which really scared me. Later, I asked a mechanic, and he said it wouldn’t cause major damage to the engine because the engine is designed to withstand the sudden force of stalling and won’t break immediately. However, the transmission suffers. D gear is the driving gear, still outputting power, and suddenly turning off the engine can cause internal oil pressure chaos or gear impact, potentially damaging the pump or shortening its lifespan. Modern cars usually have protection systems to prevent disasters, but you should avoid making this a habit, as repairing a transmission can cost thousands. The correct practice is to shift to P or N gear after stopping and then turn off the engine, which ensures the transmission’s health and gives you peace of mind while driving.

[DelOlive]

As someone who frequently maintains my own car, I believe that stalling in D gear primarily affects the transmission and poses little threat to the engine. The engine stalling is a normal process; it has startup protection and can continue working after restarting. However, the transmission remains engaged in D gear, and when the car stalls, the gears suddenly stop, causing an instant imbalance in oil pump pressure, which may lead to wear or leakage issues. Doing it once might be fine, but repeated occurrences can affect shift smoothness and even cause jerking. It's advisable to develop a good habit: always shift to P gear after parking, wait a second or two, and then turn off the ignition. This can extend your car's lifespan and save you from major repairs down the line.

[SanKai]

Shutting off the engine in D gear is less harmful to the engine but poses higher risks to the automatic transmission. It exerts excessive pressure or impact on components, potentially damaging the oil pump or clutch plates. A single mistake might be tolerable, but developing this bad habit can easily lead to premature wear and failure. For safety and reliability, always shift to P gear before turning off the engine after parking.