Should the gear be in N or P when starting an automatic transmission car?
2 Answers
When starting an automatic transmission car, the gear should be in N. Starting in P gear may exert slight impact force on the parking gear. After ignition, when shifting from P to D gear, the transmission passes through R gear, which causes a recoil force that may slightly damage the transmission. The recommended shifting method is: first power on, step on the brake and shift to N gear, ignite, then shift to D gear to start. As long as you don't stay in R gear, the transmission will not perform a shifting action. Modern automatic transmissions do not rely on the gear lever to directly drive the gear shift, but on the transmission control system. After receiving the gear signal, the transmission control system calculates and then makes the shifting decision.
Since I started driving, I've always used automatic transmission cars. At first, I was also confused about which gear to put the car in when starting it. Later, personal experience taught me that safety comes first. There was one time in the garage when I forgot to shift gears and started the car directly in N gear. Not only did the car fail to start, but it also slid backward and almost hit the wall. Fortunately, I reacted quickly to avoid any damage. The design of automatic transmissions stipulates that starting must be in P gear because P gear locks the transmission, completely fixing the wheels and preventing any movement. This ensures the stability of starting and prevents accidental sliding accidents. If you start in N gear, the engine may start unevenly or stall because the circuit current is unstable, increasing the load, especially on slopes or uneven roads, making the car prone to losing control. Developing the habit of shifting to P gear when parking is simple, and starting naturally becomes safer. It also protects the transmission components and extends the car's lifespan. I always remind my family and friends to operate this way—small habits can have big effects.
