How to Park Without Turning Off the Engine?
2 Answers
Parking without turning off the engine: For automatic transmission vehicles, release the accelerator pedal, control the foot brake to decelerate, and park the car in the intended position. Shift to N (Neutral) gear, engage the handbrake, and then release the foot brake to keep the engine running. For manual transmission vehicles, release the accelerator pedal, control the foot brake to decelerate, shift to 3rd gear to park the car in the intended position, shift to neutral, engage the handbrake, and then release the foot brake to keep the engine running. Parking without turning off the engine increases fuel consumption and accelerates component wear. If the engine is left running for an extended period while parked, the vehicle's electronic systems may be affected, leading to malfunctions or crashes. This can also result in poor engine cooling, potentially triggering high-temperature warnings.
As an experienced car enthusiast, I often keep the engine running when stuck in traffic or waiting at a red light. The steps are simple: first, brake to a complete stop, then shift to neutral or engage the handbrake—just don’t press the engine stop button. This way, the engine continues running, keeping the air conditioning or audio system on, which is especially comfortable in summer when the car stays cool. However, doing this long-term increases fuel consumption; for example, idling for one minute might burn an extra half-liter of fuel. It also accelerates engine carbon buildup, shortening its lifespan. I also prioritize safety, only doing this in open areas to avoid exhaust poisoning in enclosed spaces like garages. I occasionally use this method while queuing in parking lots or briefly waiting for someone, but it’s best to limit it to under 30 seconds to save fuel and comply with urban environmental regulations. Nowadays, I mostly use cars with auto start-stop systems for automatic management.
