Should an automatic transmission car be warmed up in P or N gear?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission car should be warmed up in P gear. The method for warming up the car is as follows: 1. Start the vehicle and keep the air conditioning turned off; 2. Let the car idle for 1 minute to warm up; 3. Drive slowly after the engine runs smoothly; 4. Once the temperature gauge rises by 1 to 2 bars, you can drive normally and use the air conditioning. The steps for parking an automatic transmission car are: 1. Start the engine, press the foot brake, and shift to D gear; 2. Release the handbrake and foot brake, then press the accelerator to start moving; 3. Press the brake to stop the car; 4. Shift from D gear to N gear and tighten the handbrake; 5. Press the foot brake and shift from N gear to P gear; 6. Release the foot brake, turn off the power, and remove the key.
When I first started learning to drive, I was also confused about which gear to use for warming up the car, so here’s some advice from a beginner. Warming up the engine allows it to heat up while idling, especially after a cold start in winter, so the lubricating oil can circulate and prevent part wear. For automatic transmission cars, the P (Park) gear completely locks the transmission, while the N (Neutral) gear allows the car to be pushed. I recommend using P gear for warming up as it’s the safest—if you forget to engage the handbrake or the ground is uneven in N gear, the car might roll. I once almost rolled backward on a slope, which was scary. Don’t warm up for too long; 30 seconds is enough for modern cars. While in P gear, lightly tap the accelerator to check if the tachometer stabilizes. Overall, P gear is worry-free and reliable—beginners should start forming this habit. Also, driving feels smoother after warming up in cold weather, reducing shaky starts. Remember, safety comes first—don’t take unnecessary risks.
