Should the car be in P or N gear when warming up?
2 Answers
Generally, the car should be placed in P gear when warming up. In fact, there is no difference between P gear and N gear for the transmission during warm-up. N gear is designed only to temporarily disconnect power and restart after a short shutdown, and is not intended for warming up at all. The differences between P gear and N gear are: 1. Shutdown issue: When shifted into N gear, the car will not shut down, only the power will not be output to the drive wheels, and the car will not move. However, the wheels do not have braking force, which poses a risk of rolling back or moving. When shifted into P gear, the parking brake device inside the transmission will lock the output shaft, the car will have no power, and it will have a certain braking effect. 2. Brake pedal: Shifting from P gear to any other gear requires stepping on the brake pedal, while N gear does not have as many restrictions. This is a safety setting to ensure driving safety. Otherwise, the moment the car is shifted from P to R or D, it will immediately have driving force backward or forward, and the handbrake alone may not be enough to stabilize the car, which can easily cause danger. Moreover, manufacturers now design unlock buttons that do not allow shifting from P gear to other gears without stepping on the brake pedal.
When warming up the car, I always put it in P gear instead of N gear. Why? Because P gear has a mechanical locking device that securely locks the transmission, preventing the car from sliding during the warm-up process, especially on slopes. Imagine if you put it in N gear without pulling the handbrake, the car could roll away, leading to serious trouble. Using both P gear and the handbrake provides double insurance, making it much safer. Modern cars don’t actually need to warm up for too long; after a cold start, just wait about 30 seconds for the engine to stabilize, and you can drive off. Putting it in N gear offers no real benefit and might even increase the risk of accidents. I learned this from an experienced driver, and I’ve been doing it this way every time I warm up the car—safe and worry-free, with no mishaps in ten years of driving. Remember, your car is your treasure; don’t take risks to save a little trouble.
