How to Turn Off the Engine and Remove the Key?
3 Answers
Turn the key counterclockwise two notches, then gently press it in and turn it one more notch to remove the key. For automatic transmission models, shift into P (Park) first. Alternatively, you can also press the key in and turn it counterclockwise three notches to remove it.
Turning off the engine and removing the key involves specific steps. Normally, I first bring the car to a complete stop, shift into P gear, and engage the handbrake. At this point, I move my right foot off the brake pedal to ensure the car is fully stationary. Then, I turn the key to the off position, wait for the engine sound to disappear, and the dashboard indicators to go dark before slowly pulling out the key. If driving a manual transmission car, you should shift into neutral first and then engage the handbrake. Never remove the key while the car is still moving, as this can damage the transmission. If you feel resistance when removing the key, it might be because the steering wheel isn’t straight and is locking the ignition. Also, if you’ve been using the heater in winter, it’s best to turn off the AC before shutting down the engine to protect the air conditioning system.
I'm accustomed to taking a few extra steps before turning off the engine. First, I switch off electrical devices like the AC and radio to reduce the battery's load. Then, with my right foot firmly on the brake, I ensure the car comes to a complete stop. I turn the key to the ACC position, pause for two seconds, then turn it to the OFF position to shut down the engine. After hearing the click, I wait for the dashboard lights to fully extinguish before gently removing the key. It's crucial to check the gear position: automatic transmission cars must be in P (Park) to remove the key, while manual transmissions should be in neutral. Sometimes beginners forget to engage the handbrake—especially dangerous when parking on slopes—so it's essential to develop the habit of checking the handbrake light before removing the key.
