Shift to P Gear First or Turn Off the Engine First?
2 Answers
Shift to P gear first. The correct parking sequence is: after stopping the vehicle with the foot brake, pull up the handbrake, shift into P gear, release the foot brake, and finally turn off the engine. Additionally, pulling the handbrake before shifting to P gear is intended to have the handbrake bear most of the impact force, reducing damage to the transmission, especially the P gear. P gear is a common gear in automatic transmission vehicles, usually located at the front of the gear shift console, in front of the R gear, designed to lock the axle when the car is stationary on a slope. P gear is a special neutral gear that mechanically locks the output shaft of the transmission to secure the vehicle, functioning as a parking brake to prevent the vehicle from moving.
I've been driving for almost 20 years, and this is a topic veteran drivers often discuss. You must shift into P (Park) before turning off the engine when parking, otherwise the vehicle may roll on slopes, which is particularly dangerous. I remember once parking on a mountain, I turned off the engine before shifting into P, and the car slowly rolled backward. Fortunately, I reacted in time and no accident occurred. Engaging P gear locks the transmission, protecting internal components from impact and avoiding unnecessary repair costs. The operation is simple: after stopping the car, keep the brake pedal pressed, shift into P, engage the handbrake, and then gently turn the key to turn off the engine. After developing this habit, the car runs smoother, safer and more worry-free. Don't underestimate these small details—they concern the safety of you and your family.
