Should an automatic transmission car be shifted to N or P gear for long-term parking?

[VanLayla]

For long-term parking of an automatic transmission car, it is recommended to shift to P gear (Park). Typically, automatic transmission vehicles have a dedicated parking gear (Park), which evolved from the N gear and is specifically designed for parking. Inside the transmission, there is a pawl mechanism that locks the gear on the output shaft, creating a mechanical lock to secure the drive axle and prevent the vehicle from moving or slightly shifting. Different situations call for different gear usage. For short-term stops, you can keep your foot on the brake and maintain the gear in D (Drive). For prolonged stops, such as waiting at a red light, you can shift to neutral (N) and engage the handbrake. However, a vehicle in neutral is prone to rolling, and relying solely on the handbrake for extended periods may reduce its clamping force, especially when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of rolling backward accidents.