Should You Shift to P Gear or Turn Off the Engine First When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?
3 Answers
When parking an automatic transmission car, you should shift to P gear first. The correct parking procedure is: 1. After the car comes to a complete stop, shift the gear to N; 2. Engage the handbrake and then shift to P gear before turning off the engine. The starting procedure for an automatic transmission car is: 1. Sit in the driver's seat and press the start button to light up the ACC indicator; 2. Press the start button again for the vehicle to perform a self-check; 3. Press the brake and press the start button to ignite and start the engine; 4. Press the foot brake, shift to D gear, and release the handbrake to proceed. The gears of an automatic transmission are divided into: 1. P gear for parking and starting; 2. R gear for reversing; 3. N gear for neutral; 4. D gear for driving forward, also known as the drive gear; 5. L gear for low speed; 6. S gear for sport mode.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade and believe the parking sequence is quite important. The standard procedure is: First, bring the car to a complete stop while keeping your foot on the brake - don't rush to shift into P (Park) or turn off the engine yet. It's recommended to first shift into N (Neutral), then firmly engage the parking brake to secure the wheels. After the parking brake is fully engaged, then shift into P position. Finally, turn off the ignition and remove the key. This operation, especially on slopes, prevents excessive stress on the transmission's internal locking mechanism that could lead to wear. Over time, neglecting this habit may cause rough shifting or transmission damage, which can be costly to repair. Make this routine practice - follow the steps every time you park for worry-free safety. Remember to practice more in garages or parking lots.
As a car enthusiast, I often discuss this on forums. Don't shift directly to P gear and turn off the engine when parking, as it can lock the transmission under stress on slopes. Here's the correct way: keep your foot on the brake to stabilize the car, shift to N gear to free the gears, then immediately engage the handbrake to lock the wheels. Once the car is stable, shift to P gear to fully lock the transmission, and finally turn off the engine. This is especially crucial for modified cars, as transmission design needs protection. Many new cars come with auto-hold, which simplifies handbrake operation, but the principle remains the same. Following the correct sequence extends vehicle lifespan, and extra caution is needed during modifications to avoid additional load. Being steady with each operation reduces failure risks and saves maintenance costs.
