Does turning off the car without shifting to P gear damage the vehicle?
3 Answers
Turning off the car without shifting to P gear can damage the transmission and engine. Below is a detailed introduction to car gear positions: 1. P gear (Parking gear): When the gear lever is in the P position, the transmission is in neutral internally, but the output shaft is mechanically locked. At this time, the car will stop in place even without stepping on the brake. It is generally used for long-term parking. When shifting into P gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not shift into P gear when the car is not fully stopped, and always engage the handbrake. When parking on a slope, engage the handbrake first before shifting into P gear. 2. R gear (Reverse gear): When the gear lever is in the R position, the rotation direction of the transmission output shaft is opposite to that of the engine, allowing the car to move backward. When shifting into R gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not shift into R gear when the car is not fully stopped. 3. N gear (Neutral gear): When the gear lever is in the N position, the gears inside the transmission are idling, and the clutch is not engaged, resulting in the minimum load on the transmission. N gear is generally used for short stops, such as waiting at a red light. Additionally, when towing the car, the transmission should be shifted into N gear. 4. D gear (Drive gear): When the gear lever is in the D position, the gears inside the transmission automatically switch between the lowest and highest gears based on factors like vehicle speed and throttle opening, following the preset shifting pattern. In most cases, D gear can be used for driving.
I usually drive an automatic transmission car, and I often encounter people asking whether turning off the engine without shifting to P gear damages the car. This habit is indeed not good, especially as it can potentially harm the automatic transmission. When you turn off the engine without shifting to P gear, the transmission might still be in a driving gear, and the locking mechanism isn't engaged, which could lead to the car sliding or the gears enduring extra impact after parking. My neighbor once forgot to do this, and the car slid half a meter on a slope—luckily, it didn't hit anything. Over time, this can accelerate internal wear and tear on the transmission, and repairs could cost thousands. I recommend developing a good habit: after parking, first engage the handbrake, shift to P gear, and then turn off the engine. It takes a few extra seconds but protects the transmission and extends the car's lifespan. Even though new cars have safety checks, it's not worth the risk—maintaining proper operation is the most reliable approach.
I remember last week when I was in a hurry at the parking lot, I pressed the ignition button to turn off the engine right after stopping the car, forgetting to shift to P gear. The next day when I started the car, I felt the engine wasn't running smoothly and there was a slight vibration. I asked an experienced driver about it, and he said directly turning off the engine would leave the transmission in an unbalanced state, causing improper gear engagement, and accumulated damage could lead to malfunctions. Although doing it once in a while might not be a big issue, repeated instances would definitely harm the car, such as faster battery drain or damage to the starting system. Now I'm extra careful: after parking properly, I make sure to shift to P gear before turning off the engine. Developing this habit only takes a few seconds but can prevent a lot of trouble. Especially when parking on a slope, this operation is crucial to prevent the car from sliding out and causing an accident.
