Should an automatic transmission car be started in P gear?
2 Answers
P gear and N gear can both be used to start the engine. P gear is the parking gear, while N gear is the neutral gear. Use P gear for long-term parking, and N gear for brief stops such as waiting at a traffic light. Relevant knowledge about starting an automatic transmission vehicle is as follows: 1. Starting an automatic transmission vehicle: Insert the key into the ignition switch, press the brake, and start the engine. 2. Prerequisites for starting in N gear: The vehicle can also be started in N gear, but there is a prerequisite: the key must be turned to the start position (without starting), the dashboard must display OK, press the brake, shift the gear lever from P gear to N gear, and then start the engine. Be sure not to release the handbrake. This method is generally used in repair shops.
When I first started learning to drive an automatic car, I was often reminded to start the engine in P gear. This habit is truly crucial. A friend explained that P gear is like putting a safety lock on the car, fixing the transmission so the car won't slide. If the gear is in D or R when starting, the car might move as soon as the engine starts, which is even more dangerous on a slope. I once made a mistake myself—forgetting to check the gear was in N when starting, the car jerked and almost hit a flowerbed in front, giving me a real scare. Since then, I always double-check the gear position before getting in the car. Although most new cars nowadays have a protection mechanism that prevents starting if the gear isn't correct, older models don't have this feature. Developing this habit can save a lot of trouble. In daily driving, safety is no small matter—taking a few extra seconds to confirm the gear position is worth it.
