Is it okay to start an automatic transmission car directly in P gear?
2 Answers
Starting an automatic transmission car directly in P gear is acceptable. The steps for starting an automatic transmission car are: 1. Sit in the driver's seat and press the start button to light up the ACC indicator; 2. Press the start button again for the vehicle to perform a self-check; 3. Press the brake and press the start button to ignite and start the engine; 4. Press the foot brake, shift to D gear, and release the handbrake. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; the vehicle automatically selects the appropriate gear based on driving speed and traffic conditions. The gears are divided into: 1. P gear (Parking gear, Start gear); 2. R gear (Reverse gear); 3. N gear (Neutral gear); 4. D gear (Drive gear, also known as Driving gear); 5. L gear (Low gear); 6. S gear (Sport mode).
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade and always make it a habit to start the engine directly in P (Park) position, which I believe is the safest approach. Think about it – P position essentially locks the transmission, preventing the car from accidentally rolling, especially noticeable when parking on slopes. If I attempt to start in D (Drive) or R (Reverse), the system might not respond, or the engine might rev without moving the car. A momentary slip could even lead to collisions, which would be extremely dangerous. Once, I witnessed a friend trying to start his car not in P position, causing the vehicle to lurch slightly forward – fortunately without consequences, but that incident reinforced my insistence on P-position starts. Additionally, after starting, I recommend engaging the handbrake and waiting a few seconds to let the engine warm up before shifting gears. This practice helps prolong component lifespan and provides greater peace of mind while driving.
