Does Turning Off the Engine Without Shifting to P Gear Damage the Car?
1 Answers
Turning off the engine without shifting to P gear can damage the car. While it is possible to turn off the engine without shifting to P gear, doing so can harm the transmission and engine. It is recommended to shift to P gear before turning off the engine. The P gear mechanically locks the output shaft of the transmission to secure the car, preventing it from moving. P gear is the most common gear in various automatic transmission vehicles, equivalent to the manual transmission's gear lock. It functions similarly to an auxiliary brake and is usually located at the frontmost or rearmost position of the gear lever. By locking the axle through the gear, it ensures the vehicle remains stationary on the road. If you brake directly without shifting to P gear, the vehicle may lose its intended braking capability. Therefore, the safest and most secure practice is to shift to P gear after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Parking sequence: For manual transmission vehicles: First, press the brake to gradually reduce speed, then press the clutch and shift to neutral. Once the car is completely stopped, shift to P gear, engage the handbrake, and then turn off the engine and remove the key. For automatic transmission vehicles: First, press the brake to bring the car to a gradual stop, shift from D gear to N gear, engage the handbrake, and finally turn off the engine.