Is it harmful to turn off the car directly without shifting to P gear?
3 Answers
Turning off the car directly without shifting to P gear is harmful and can damage the lifespan of the transmission. Introduction to automatic transmission gear positions: 1. P gear is the parking gear: used for long-term parking of the vehicle; 2. R gear is the reverse gear: engaged when the vehicle needs to move backward; 3. N gear is the neutral gear: engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine; 4. S gear is the sport mode: makes the vehicle drive more sportily; 5. M gear refers to the manual mode: when the gear lever is shifted to M gear, gear shifting is done manually by the driver; 6. L gear is the low gear: used when the car is moving slowly.
I've been driving for over a decade, and safety is my top concern. If you turn off the engine without shifting to P (Park), the car could roll, especially on slopes—even with the handbrake engaged, it's not foolproof. My neighbor had an accident last time; he forgot to shift to P, and the car slid into the roadside guardrail, costing over ten thousand in repairs. Although modern cars have some protective systems, habitual wrong operations significantly increase risks. If the brakes fail or the road is slippery from rain, losing control could lead to severe consequences. For my own and others' safety, I always make sure to shift to P when parking—this habit can eliminate 99% of potential accidents. Don’t underestimate this detail; life is far more valuable than a car. Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.
As a car enthusiast, I've studied transmission structures. Not shifting to P before turning off the engine isn't the end of the world, but doing it regularly does harm your vehicle. The transmission needs to be locked in position to protect the gears - when you shut down directly, system pressure isn't released, causing faster gear wear and inadequate lubrication. Forgetting occasionally might be fine since modern cars have fail-safes, but doing this daily could lead to transmission hesitation or unusual noises within 3-5 years. Repairs cost at least thousands, and I've heard from auto shop friends it can even cause electronic module failures and control logic malfunctions. I make it a habit to always shift to P when parking - those extra seconds can significantly extend your vehicle's lifespan. After all, transmissions are expensive core components, and repairs are both time-consuming and frustrating.
