Should I Shift to P Gear After Turning Off the Engine?
2 Answers
It is recommended to shift to P gear before turning off the engine. The reasons for shifting to P gear first are as follows: 1. In fact, the engine can be turned off in any gear. If you turn off the engine before shifting to P gear, the car may move under external force, posing a potential hazard. 2. The principle of P gear (Parking gear): It uses related mechanical devices to lock the rotating parts of the car. P gear can cut off the power transmission inside the gearbox and lock the output shaft, preventing the wheels from rotating in the same direction. 3. If the vehicle is not in P gear when the engine is turned off, it will emit a warning signal. For mechanical key models, the key cannot be removed, and for push-button start models, the car cannot be locked.
I just started learning to drive, and every time I park and turn off the engine, I habitually shift to P (Park) to lock the transmission and prevent the car from rolling. I remember one time when I parked on a slope in my neighborhood and forgot to shift to P, the car suddenly rolled forward and almost hit the opposite side, scaring me so much that I immediately hit the brakes and started over. Since then, I’ve developed the habit of shifting to P before turning off the engine—it not only protects the gears and reduces wear but also makes parking safer. If you don’t do this in an automatic transmission car, especially on uneven roads, the car might move slightly and cause an accident. When driving in the city, I also pay attention to how others operate their cars. Experienced drivers emphasize this detail, and I’ve learned from them—it really works.
