Is it harmful to park in P gear without turning off the engine while waiting?
1 Answers
Keeping the car in P gear without turning off the engine for a long time can have negative effects on the vehicle. This is because the P gear locks the transmission gears, and prolonged use can cause impact on the transmission. In severe cases, it may even damage the gears, leading to transmission failure. It is recommended to shift to N gear and engage the handbrake instead. 1. Function of P gear: The P gear mechanically locks the output shaft of the transmission to secure the car and prevent it from moving. 2. Precautions for driving an automatic transmission car: After the vehicle comes to a complete stop, shift to P gear. At this point, the parking pawl and parking gear are engaged but not in absolute physical contact, meaning there is a gap between them. This design prevents the car body from continuously applying torque to the pawl through the gear, thereby slowing down the time and extent of metal fatigue (internal structural fractures) in the pawl steel.