Should an automatic transmission car be started in N gear or P gear?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car can be started in either P gear or N gear. The correct steps are: 1. Turn on the power without starting the engine; 2. Press the brake and start the engine in N gear. Precautions for shifting gears in an automatic transmission car: 1. Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting gears; 2. Do not press the accelerator pedal hard after shifting gears; 3. The vehicle can only be started in P or N gear; 4. To shift out of P gear, the brake must be pressed; 5. Do not shift into N gear while driving to coast; 6. Do not push into P gear while the car is moving; 7. When changing driving directions, shifting between D and R gears should only be done after the vehicle has come to a complete stop; 8. Placing the gear in N while driving prevents the oil pump from supplying oil normally for lubrication, which can cause the internal components of the transmission to overheat and become damaged.
I believe that when starting an automatic transmission car, it is necessary to select the P (Park) gear instead of the N (Neutral) gear for safety reasons. The P gear has a locking mechanism that secures the wheels, preventing the car from moving suddenly during startup. If you have tried starting the car in N gear on a slope or in a parking lot, it can easily lead to the car rolling, which is very dangerous. Having driven for many years, I often see beginners causing minor accidents due to this habit, such as hitting walls or pedestrians. Developing the good habit of starting in P gear can avoid these risks, especially in congested traffic areas. Many modern vehicle systems default to requiring the P gear for ignition; otherwise, the engine cannot be started at all. Safety comes first, and starting with small daily habits can protect both yourself and others. Additionally, shifting gears smoothly after startup is more seamless and beneficial for car maintenance without any drawbacks.
