Is it okay to shift into P gear once without the car coming to a complete stop?
1 Answers
Shifting into P gear without the car coming to a complete stop is generally fine if it happens occasionally, but doing so frequently during driving can have negative effects on the car. The P gear is a locking mechanism that engages with the transmission gear. Shifting into P gear before the car stops can damage the locking gear, leading to potential issues over time. Since the transmission's P gear is typically engaged when the car is parked, its purpose is to lock the axle and keep the car stationary on slopes. If P gear is engaged while driving, it can harm the transmission. In such cases, you should immediately shift back to a driving gear, slow down, and pull over to park. Then, restart the car and begin driving from the forward gear. If there are no unusual noises, there should be no problem. If there are issues with the transmission, it can severely affect the vehicle's driving performance and reduce the sense of control while driving. To avoid transmission damage, the priority is to use the P, D, R, and N gears correctly. Remember, the R and P gears in an automatic transmission are meant to be engaged only when the car is parked—never while driving.