Is it serious if I forgot to shift to P gear before turning off the engine?

[Tiffany]

Turning off the engine without shifting to P gear can damage the transmission and engine. Here are the detailed introductions of car gears: 1. P gear (Parking gear): When the gear lever is in the P position, the transmission is in neutral internally, but the output shaft is mechanically locked. At this time, the car will stop in place even without stepping on the brake. It is generally used for long-term parking of the car. When shifting into P gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not shift into P gear when the car is not fully stopped, and the handbrake must be applied. When parking on a slope, you need to apply the handbrake first and then shift into P gear. 2. R gear (Reverse gear): When the gear lever is in the R position, the rotation direction of the transmission output shaft is opposite to that of the engine, allowing the car to move backward. When shifting into R gear, the car must be completely stationary. Do not shift into R gear when the car is not fully stopped. 3. N gear (Neutral gear): When the gear lever is in the N position, the gears inside the transmission are idling, and the clutch is not engaged. The load on the transmission is minimal at this time. N gear is generally used for short-term parking, such as waiting at a red light, and the transmission should also be shifted into N gear when the car is being towed. 4. D gear (Drive gear): When the gear lever is in the D position, the gears inside the transmission automatically switch between the lowest and highest gears according to the set shifting rules based on factors such as vehicle speed and throttle opening. In most cases, you can drive using D gear.