Should an automatic transmission car be turned off before shifting to P gear or shifted to P gear before turning off?
2 Answers
For an automatic transmission car, you should shift to P gear before turning off the engine. If you turn off the engine before shifting to P gear and then pull the handbrake, the car may roll. An automatic transmission means the driver does not need to manually shift gears; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. Generally, an automatic transmission has six gears: P, R, N, D, S, and L. The automatic transmission uses a planetary gear mechanism to shift gears automatically based on the degree of the accelerator pedal and changes in vehicle speed. Driving an automatic transmission car only requires using the parking gear (P), reverse gear (R), neutral gear (N), and drive gear (D), which can fully meet the needs of general driving.
I remember driving automatic transmission cars for over twenty years and developed the habit of always shifting to P (Park) before turning off the engine. This is because the transmission locks the gears more easily while the engine is running, preventing the vehicle from rolling or damaging internal components. Especially when parking on a slope, first firmly apply the handbrake or engage the electronic parking assist, then shift to P, and finally turn off the engine—the entire process ensures the vehicle remains stable. If done the other way around (turning off the engine before shifting to P), without the engine's power support, gear shifting might become stiff or cause long-term damage. It's crucial to check your car's manual, as different models may have slight variations, but the principle remains the same: protect the transmission and reduce repair costs. After adopting this sequence, my car has been better maintained, with a noticeably lower failure rate.
