Is It Serious to Forget to Shift to P Gear Before Turning Off the Engine?
4 Answers
It is not serious. However, it may have some impact on the transmission. Parking sequence: When parking the car, turn on the turn signal, lightly press the brake to slow down, slowly turn the steering wheel, press the clutch with the left foot, and simultaneously press the brake with the right foot. Shift to N gear. The reason for not directly shifting to P gear before turning off the engine is to prevent the transmission from passing through R gear while the engine is running, thereby reducing one impact when turning off. Pull up the handbrake and release the foot brake. After the car comes to a complete stop, shift to P gear and remove the key. Gear usage tips: Control the starting gear properly. Do not keep your hand on the gear shift lever for too long while driving. Use 1st or 2nd gear when starting. When shifting gears, the driver should coordinate the clutch and throttle properly—press the clutch all the way down, release the throttle pedal immediately, and then quickly shift to the appropriate gear. If the vehicle shakes slightly under high load, you can downshift by one or two gears.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I often see people asking about this issue. I once forgot to shift into P gear before turning off the engine on a slope in my neighborhood, and the car rolled slightly, nearly hitting a wall—it was quite frightening. This matter is indeed critical, primarily due to safety risks: engaging P gear uses the transmission's locking mechanism to secure the wheels. If you turn off the engine without shifting into P gear, especially on a slope, the car may roll away and cause an accident. Additionally, consistently operating this way can wear down internal transmission components, and repairs can be costly. Most modern cars have warning alarms, but it's best to develop the habit: after parking, first press the brake and shift into P gear, then engage the handbrake or electronic parking brake, and finally turn off the engine. This habit protects your beloved car and ensures family safety. Now, I always remind myself never to skip this step for the sake of speed—one accident could come at a high price.
As a young car owner, I made this mistake when I first got my car. Once in a parking lot, I turned off the engine without shifting to P, and felt the car move slightly when I got out—luckily, it was on flat ground and nothing happened. But I later learned that turning off the engine directly without shifting to P is bad for the transmission, as it may endure extra stress, leading to component wear. On steep slopes, the risk is even greater, and rollaway accidents are common. Modern cars are smart and will sound an alarm to remind you, but it’s important to develop the right habit: shift to P before turning off the engine. Doing it wrong once might not cause immediate damage, but repeated mistakes can shorten the transmission’s lifespan and increase repair costs. I recommend using the auto-hold function as a backup, but don’t always rely on electronic systems. In short, forming good habits is key—safety first!
I take extra precautions when driving with my kids. Forgetting to shift into P before turning off the engine on a slope can cause the car to roll away, which is dangerous, especially when children are getting in or out. It's less risky on flat ground, but still best avoided. This matters because the transmission doesn't lock the wheels, making rollaway accidents likely, potentially damaging the undercarriage or bumpers. Modern cars have audible warnings, but I've made it a strict rule: always shift to P, engage the parking brake, then turn off the engine. If you forget once, it's not an emergency, but correct it immediately to prevent movement. Long-term, this protects your car and ensures your safety.
