Should I Shift to N Gear When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?

[HarrisonFitz]

If parking briefly without turning off the engine, shift to N gear; if parking for an extended period with the engine off, you must shift to P gear. Additional information: 1. Both automatic and manual transmissions have an N gear, which is the neutral gear. After shifting to N gear, the car cannot move. N gear is generally used for temporary stops at traffic lights. 2. Automatic transmissions also have a P gear, which is the parking gear. After shifting to P gear, the car also cannot move. The difference between P gear and N gear is that P gear has a locking mechanism. When P gear is engaged, the locking mechanism can lock the transmission gears, which is equivalent to indirectly locking the wheels. After shifting to P gear, even without applying the handbrake, the car cannot move. However, after shifting to N gear, the car can move if the handbrake is not applied.

[DiAaron]

When parking, it is generally not recommended to shift into N (Neutral) gear. In an automatic transmission vehicle, if you shift into N gear while parking, the car will be in a free state with the wheels unlocked. Even a slight slope can cause the car to roll, which can be particularly dangerous if you step out and notice the car sliding. The correct procedure is to firmly press the brake pedal, wait until the car comes to a complete stop, and then shift directly into P (Park) gear. This locks the transmission and secures the wheels. Applying the parking brake afterward provides additional stability. I remember one time when I didn’t shift properly, my car almost rolled into a greenbelt on a slope. For temporary stops like at a red light, using N gear is acceptable—for example, shifting to N and applying the foot brake or parking brake can reduce strain on the transmission. However, don’t forget to shift back to D (Drive) when resuming motion. When shutting off the engine for parking, shifting into P gear prevents the transmission from getting stuck or the car from moving unexpectedly.

[AutumnRose]

When parking, there's no need to specifically shift into N gear; P gear is the preferred choice. The N gear is designed for brief stops, such as during traffic jams or waiting at a red light for a few dozen seconds. However, using N gear for extended parking is not advisable as the vehicle lacks a parking lock, which could lead to unintended movement, especially on slopes, where relying solely on the handbrake isn't sufficiently reliable. Having driven automatic transmission cars for over a decade, I've developed the habit of firmly pressing the brake—shifting to P gear—and then engaging the handbrake every time I park, simply for peace of mind. Some claim that shifting to N gear saves a bit of fuel, but the difference is negligible. On the contrary, frequent use of N gear might wear out the transmission's shifting mechanism. The N gear is only necessary when towing is required to unlock the wheels; for daily parking, there's no need for the extra step. Always ensure the car is completely stopped before moving the gear lever to avoid damaging components.

[VanMarcus]

There's no need to shift to N gear when parking an automatic transmission car - going straight to P gear is the easiest. The P gear locks the transmission gears, securing the vehicle firmly in place, whereas in N gear, the power is completely disconnected, and even a small slope could cause the car to roll. Have you ever seen any parked cars in a parking lot using N gear? I once experienced it myself - I temporarily stopped at an intersection in N gear without engaging the handbrake, and when the car behind honked, I panicked and started moving, accidentally shifting into the wrong gear. The correct procedure is simple: brake to stop → shift to P gear → engage the handbrake → turn off the engine. For short stops at red lights, if it lasts more than 30 seconds, I occasionally shift to N gear and use the foot brake to protect the transmission's torque converter from overheating. For everyday parking, using N gear is completely unnecessary and just adds hassle.

[LunaLee]

When parking, you don't need to shift to N gear, just put it in P gear. N gear is suitable for temporary stops, such as waiting at toll booths or for someone within five minutes, as it reduces the load on the powertrain. However, if you shift to N gear when formally parking and turning off the engine, the car is essentially in neutral. If you forget to engage the handbrake or the road is uneven, there's a significant risk of the car rolling. A colleague of mine once had an incident where they parked on a slope in N gear after work, forgot to lock the car, and it rolled into the neighboring vehicle. The design of automatic transmission parking prioritizes P gear, which has an internal hook that locks the gear to prevent movement. I recommend following the standard parking procedure every time: come to a complete stop → shift to P gear → engage the handbrake firmly. N gear is more for scenarios like towing or car washes—don't complicate simple operations.