How to Turn Off and Park an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
Press the brake to shift the gear lever to N, engage the brake, then turn off the engine, finally shift the gear lever to P, and turn off the power to remove the key. Generally, D + brake or D + parking brake can be used. If the time is too long, N + parking brake is recommended.
I never take parking and shutting off the engine lightly, especially since the automatic transmission is quite delicate. First, firmly press the brake to ensure the car comes to a complete stop, then shift into N (Neutral) gear. At this point, it’s safest to engage the electronic parking brake, release the foot brake to let the car’s weight fully rest on the parking brake, and then shift into P (Park) gear. Finally, turn off the air conditioning and electrical devices before shutting off the engine and removing the key. Pay extra attention when parking on a slope—it’s best to shift into N gear first, engage the parking brake, and then shift into P gear. Shifting directly into P gear can cause the transmission gears to lock, leading to noise and potential damage when starting the car next time. Before shutting off the engine, always check that the windows are closed and ensure the parking spot doesn’t obstruct others—safety details matter.
After years of driving automatic transmissions, I've summarized a standard procedure: After the car comes to a complete stop, don't rush to turn off the engine. Keep your foot on the brake, shift to N (Neutral) gear, and wait for the electronic parking brake light to come on before releasing the foot brake. The car will move slightly, indicating the weight has transferred to the parking brake, then shift to P (Park) gear and turn off the engine. For traditional mechanical handbrakes, after shifting to N gear, firmly pull up the handbrake until you hear a click. In hot weather, turn off the AC switch before shutting down the engine; otherwise, the air conditioning compressor will start working immediately upon the next startup, which can damage the battery. When parking on a slope, take an extra step: after shifting to N gear and tightening the handbrake, release the foot brake first to ensure the car doesn't roll, then shift to P gear. Finally, remember to straighten the steering wheel to protect the steering system.
