Should an Automatic Car Be Turned Off First or Shifted to P Gear First?
3 Answers
For automatic cars, it is acceptable to either shift to P gear before turning off the engine or after. Below are some situations that may occur if P gear is not engaged when turning off the engine: 1. The vehicle may not power off completely. Some vehicles with one-touch start functionality will not power off if turned off directly without shifting to P gear. In such cases, the audio system may continue to play, the cigarette lighter may remain functional, and the dashcam may keep recording. However, this feature can be beneficial when briefly parked and waiting, as you can turn off the engine in N gear without interrupting activities like smoking or listening to music. 2. The key may not be removable. The car key has four positions: LOCK (insertion position), ACC (first turn), ON (second turn), and START (final position). The key can only be removed when in the LOCK position. To start the engine, the key must first be turned to ON, then rotated to START for ignition. After the engine starts, releasing the key returns it to the ON position. If the engine is turned off without shifting to P gear, the key can only be turned to ACC, making it impossible to remove. To remove the key, P gear must be engaged, allowing the key to be turned to LOCK. 3. The doors may not lock. If the engine is turned off directly without shifting to P gear and an attempt is made to lock the car, the doors may not lock because the operation does not follow standard procedures. In this case, the central locking system will not activate, serving as a reminder for the owner to check the P gear.
I remember when I was first learning to drive, I once panicked and turned off the engine first while parking on a slope, causing the car to almost roll away—scaring me into a cold sweat. Later, I consulted an experienced driver and learned that with an automatic transmission, you should shift into P (Park) before turning off the engine. This locks the transmission, preventing the car from rolling and causing injury or damage to components. After adopting this habit, I now operate smoothly at every parking spot: come to a complete stop, press the brake, shift into P, confirm, and then turn off the engine. I also engage the parking brake, especially on slopes, for extra security. Now it’s second nature, greatly improving driving safety and reducing repair hassles—after all, a transmission repair can cost thousands, so why take unnecessary risks? I recommend beginners practice this a few times in parking lots to avoid embarrassing mishaps like mine back then.
Having driven automatic transmission cars for over a decade, I believe the parking sequence must never be taken lightly. After coming to a complete stop each time, I always make it a habit to shift into P gear before turning off the engine, ensuring the vehicle is securely locked in place. Early on, there was an incident at a supermarket entrance where I turned off the engine but forgot to shift into gear, causing the car to roll slightly and scrape against a wall—fortunately, it only cost 500 yuan for a touch-up paint job. Since then, I've been extra cautious: especially when parking on slopes, I always engage the handbrake for double security. This practice helps protect the transmission gears from unnecessary wear and extends the vehicle's lifespan. It applies to both new and old cars alike; once it becomes a routine, the operation becomes smooth and reassuring. Plus, it saves on repair costs, and the benefits become evident over time.
