Is it okay to turn off an automatic transmission car without shifting to P gear?
3 Answers
You can turn off the car without shifting to P gear before shutting down the engine, but it may damage the transmission and engine. Here is some information about engine shutdown: 1. Introduction: Also known as flameout. Generally refers to the engine shutting down. 2. Operation: When the reactor is operating at a significant reaction rate, if the inlet temperature is lowered to the lower limit of the multiple-state region, the reaction rate will suddenly drop significantly, and the reaction will basically stop. This phenomenon is called flameout. The corresponding inlet temperature is called the flameout point. 3. Precautions: For beginners, stalling midway is not a new topic. The main solution is to improve driving skills after a quick break-in period.
A couple of days ago, I discussed this with friends and realized many people think it's fine to turn off the engine without shifting to Park (P). Actually, it's extremely dangerous, especially when parking on a slope. Last time, I was driving a friend's car in an underground mall parking lot and turned off the engine without shifting to P—the car suddenly rolled half a meter and almost hit a pillar. The P gear is specifically designed to lock the transmission. Without it, you're relying solely on the handbrake, which often isn't strong enough. Moreover, doing this long-term can wear out the transmission's locking mechanism prematurely, and replacing it can cost thousands. So now, I've made it a reflex—I always ensure the P gear indicator is lit before turning off the engine.
I've repaired many automatic transmission vehicles and found that most transmission failures are actually caused by poor driving habits. Every time you turn off the engine without shifting to P (Park), the transmission gears remain in a free state. If the car is hit or the road vibrates at this time, the gears will suffer internal damage. This is especially true for vehicles with auto-hold function—many people think the electronic parking brake is foolproof, but these are actually two completely independent systems. What's worse, some cars won't even allow you to remove the key unless you're in P (Park), forcing you to restart the engine and shift gears again. My advice is to develop muscle memory starting now: Brake → Shift to P (Park) → Engage parking brake → Turn off ignition. Never mess up this sequence.
