Is it okay to leave the car in N gear for long-term parking in place?
1 Answers
It is not advisable to leave the car in N gear for long-term parking in place. The N gear does not have a locking mechanism. When the N gear is engaged, neither the transmission gears nor the wheels are locked. Without applying the handbrake, the car can still move. Prolonged coasting in N gear over long distances may directly lead to transmission failure. For short-term parking without turning off the engine, you can engage the N gear. However, if you intend to park and turn off the engine, you should shift to P gear. The P gear is equipped with a locking mechanism that secures the transmission gears, effectively locking the wheels indirectly. Without applying the handbrake, the car cannot move when in P gear. Before shifting to P gear, always ensure the car has come to a complete stop. Maintaining proper usage habits in daily driving can help extend the lifespan of the automatic transmission.