Should You Rev the Engine in P or N Gear?
3 Answers
If you are revving the engine while stationary, both P and N gears are acceptable. Here are the relevant details: 1. N gear: Shifting to N gear works for both manual and automatic transmissions. For manual transmissions, you can also press the clutch, while for automatic transmissions, you can shift to P gear. Automatic transmissions can engage the handbrake and then shift to neutral. 2. P gear: When parking in P gear, the mechanical lock gear teeth can lock the transmission output, disconnecting the engine from the transmission with no power transfer. Revving the engine only increases the engine speed, and the power is not transmitted to the transmission, similar to N gear, where it operates in neutral rotation, and the car won't move. If you only do this occasionally, it won't significantly affect the car. However, prolonged operation can cause the engine temperature to rise rapidly, and the radiator's cooling efficiency will deteriorate without cold air intake. In severe cases, it may even damage the big and small bearings under the piston. Additionally, it can have adverse effects on belts and gears.
Through years of driving experience, I've found it's best to rev the engine in Neutral (N) gear. The Park (P) gear has a parking mechanism, and suddenly flooring the accelerator could cause impact inside the transmission, potentially damaging the parking pawl. Keeping it in Neutral allows safer engine idling without accidental vehicle movement, provided the parking brake is firmly engaged or the foot brake is steadily pressed. This practice is particularly reasonable during winter engine warm-up, as it reduces stress on components. Remember, revving should only be done to check engine sound or clear carbon deposits. Making this a habitual practice in daily operation can extend vehicle lifespan and avoid unnecessary repair costs.
As a car enthusiast, I think choosing Neutral (N) gear when revving the engine is a smart move. It allows the engine to rotate freely without disturbing the transmission. While Park (P) gear provides stable parking, heavy revving might impact the parking mechanism, which isn't worth the risk. I learned from car forums that many modified car enthusiasts use N gear for performance testing, as it also allows them to observe if the tachometer remains stable. During my usual pre-driving warm-up, I always shift to N gear and give a few gentle revs—it's safe, efficient, and helps prevent potential issues.
