Is it serious to turn off the engine without shifting to P gear?
3 Answers
If you forget to shift to P gear before turning off the engine, it may damage the engine. In this case, you should start the car again and shift back to P gear. More extended information is as follows: 1. About automatic transmission: Automatic transmission means that the driver does not need to shift gears manually. Instead, the vehicle's computer will automatically shift gears based on road conditions. 2. Generally, there are 5 gear positions in an automatic transmission car, arranged in the following order: P, R, N, D, S. "P" stands for parking gear, "R" for reverse gear, "N" for neutral gear, "D" for drive gear, and "S" for sport gear. Some automatic transmission models also include manual mode and paddle shifters, allowing manual control of gear shifting to enhance driving pleasure. 3. In automatic transmissions, according to different shifting principles, they can be divided into 6-speed automatic transmission, CVT continuously variable transmission, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, 8-speed automatic manual transmission, etc. Car owners can choose the appropriate transmission form according to their needs.
I think forgetting to shift into P before turning off the engine is a pretty serious issue, mainly due to safety hazards. For example, I tried it once on a flat road—the car wasn't properly locked, it wobbled a bit and almost rolled away, luckily there were no cars around. It would be even worse on a slope; the car could roll downhill or crash into a tree, causing a real mess. From a safety perspective, if an automatic transmission isn't in P when the engine is off, the gears might not fully engage, meaning the car won't stay firmly parked. A gust of wind or someone pushing the door could make it move, which is dangerous. Developing good habits is crucial—I always remind myself to engage the parking brake first, shift into P, and then turn off the engine. This routine saves a lot of hassle and avoids costly repairs. Besides, modern cars are designed to beep if you turn off the engine without shifting into P, but don’t rely on that—doing it yourself is the safest bet.
Honestly, from an auto insurance perspective, forgetting to shift into Park before turning off the engine is quite damaging to the transmission. Last time I was in a hurry parking in my neighborhood and forgot, the key wouldn't come out—had to restart and shift gears again. Doing this long-term wears down transmission gears or locking pins faster, and repairs cost a fortune, especially since automatic transmissions are designed to lock the wheels in Park. An experienced driver told me avoiding this is simple: when parking, keep your foot on the brake, shift into Park, then turn off the engine—make it a one-minute habit. If a newbie messes up, the car might even roll and hit something, leading to a messy insurance claim. Safety is no small matter. My car's been trouble-free for five years precisely because I always double-check the gear position.
