Is it okay to park in N gear?

[VonAustin]

Parking in N gear is acceptable, but only for short-term parking without turning off the engine. If you are parking and turning off the engine, you must use P gear. If you park and turn off the engine while in N gear, the car will not shut down properly. Although both P gear and N gear can be used when parking, there is a difference between them. When P gear is engaged, the locking mechanism inside the automatic transmission locks the gears, which indirectly locks the wheels. An automatic transmission typically refers to a car's automatic gear-shifting mechanism, where the control system of the automatic transmission automatically selects the appropriate gear based on the engine's speed and load during driving, replacing the driver's subjective judgment of timing and gear-shifting operations.

[MaggieFitz]

I used to try putting my automatic transmission car in neutral when parked, thinking it could save some fuel. But once, when parked on a slope, it almost slid and hit a tree, which really scared me. Actually, putting it in neutral means the gear is in N, and there's no power connection to the wheels, so they aren't locked. The car relies entirely on the handbrake or foot brake to stay still. It might be okay for a short time on flat ground, like at a traffic light, but it's definitely not safe in parking lots or on slopes, as the car can easily roll away. Automatic transmissions are designed to lock the wheels in P (Park) mode, and using the handbrake together ensures stability. I've since developed the habit of shifting to P first and then applying the handbrake when parking, which gives me peace of mind. If you're not careful, leaving it in neutral for long periods can also damage internal transmission parts, leading to costly repairs. Everyone, remember safety first!

[McBraxton]

As someone who enjoys tinkering with cars, I believe that parking in neutral depends on the situation. For manual transmissions, it's fine on flat ground, but not for automatic transmissions. The N (neutral) gear only disconnects the engine, leaving the wheels unsecured—if the brakes fail, the car could roll. Especially on rainy days or slopes, the car might slowly creep away unnoticed and hit obstacles, which isn’t worth the risk. Briefly shifting to neutral at traffic lights is fine since it’s short-term, but for long-term parking, always use P (park) gear. Checking if the handbrake is fully engaged is also crucial. I’ve seen a friend’s car suffer bearing wear from frequent neutral parking, leading to costly repairs. In short, prioritize stability and safety when parking—don’t skip essential steps.

[LeAlyssa]

Don't shift into neutral when parking, it's dangerous. On automatic transmission vehicles, putting the car in N (Neutral) doesn't lock the wheels, and if the handbrake fails, the car can roll. For example, on a slope, the car rolling down could cause an accident. The same caution applies to manual transmission vehicles. With ten years of driving experience, I've developed the habit of shifting into P (Park) and applying the handbrake for double security when parking. Safety is more important than saving fuel.