Does the car get damaged when the door is not closed tightly and automatically shifts to P gear?
3 Answers
Shifting into P gear before the car comes to a complete stop does not damage the car, just remember to adjust it back when starting. Related introduction: 1. Shifting before stopping: For automatic transmission cars, you can shift gears before stopping, including shifting to P gear. Generally, the parking mechanism in automatic transmissions takes this into consideration and will not damage the transmission. Additionally, you can also shift to R gear. Typically, the transmission computer has an inhibition control for R gear, meaning that even if you shift to R gear when the speed is above a certain value, the transmission will not execute the operation. These measures are designed to prevent misoperation. 2. Automatic transmission gears: Generally, automatic transmission cars have six gear positions, from top to bottom: P, R, N, D, S, L. P—Parking, the parking gear, also the starting gear. When the car is parked and not in use, the gear is in this position, and the wheels are mechanically locked to prevent rolling.
Having driven for over twenty years myself, I've found that the automatic shift to P (Park) when the door isn't fully closed is purely a safety feature to prevent accidental vehicle movement and potential accidents. It doesn't directly harm the vehicle because modern transmissions are designed with such emergency shifts in mind, ensuring a smooth mechanism without noticeable jerks. However, frequently ignoring the door not being closed and repeatedly causing the gear to shift may lead to slight wear on transmission components, which over time could affect its lifespan. It's advisable to make a habit of manually pushing the door to confirm it's locked every time you enter or exit the car—developing this habit can save you a lot of hassle. On a practical note, I've come across some car owners complaining about this issue, mostly due to dirty or aging door sensors. Having them checked by a technician during regular maintenance is all it takes; cars aren't that fragile. Overall, this is a good feature, so there's no need to worry.
Now my new car comes with a smart system that automatically shifts to P (Park) when the door opens—such a cool safety feature. I think it's entirely electronically controlled, with sensors and computers working together to ensure a smooth transition that won't harm the engine or transmission internals. Though, if you leave the door open too long, the warning light keeps flashing, which can be annoying. No need to worry about damaging the car—engineers have tested it thousands of times. A little extra tip: when parking, try to find a level spot to minimize unnecessary gear shifts. Simply put, this feature is as thoughtful as an alarm reminder—just use it without worrying about the car.
