Should You Shift to P or N First When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?

[DelLaila]

When parking an automatic transmission car, you should shift to N first and then to P. The correct method for parking an automatic transmission car is: 1. Press the foot brake to stop the car; 2. Shift the gear from D to N; 3. Engage the handbrake and turn off the engine; 4. Release the foot brake without turning off the power; 5. Press the foot brake again and shift the gear from N to P; 6. Release the foot brake and turn the key back; 7. Turn off the power and remove the key. Automatic transmission means the driver does not need to shift gears manually; the vehicle will automatically select the appropriate gear based on the driving speed and traffic conditions. Automatic transmissions use Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), and Drive (D) to meet driving needs.

[Cindy]

I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over twenty years, and my habit when parking is to first come to a complete stop, shift to Neutral (N), then firmly engage the handbrake. I wait two or three seconds for the car to become completely stable and motionless before shifting to Park (P). This sequence is especially important on slopes or uneven surfaces because the P gear is essentially a mechanical hook. Engaging it directly would make the transmission gears bear the full weight of the car, which over time can lead to wear and deformation. Having driven in various terrains in the city, maintaining this good habit has kept my car's transmission problem-free. On flat ground, you might get away with shifting directly to P, but engaging the handbrake before shifting to P is safer. It extends the vehicle's lifespan and prevents accidental rolling. That extra small step when parking can save you from costly major repairs.

[Wayne]

Having repaired many cars, I recommend stopping the car first by braking to a halt, shifting to N (Neutral), engaging the handbrake, releasing the foot brake, and waiting a few seconds for the car to stabilize before shifting to P (Park). This avoids direct force on the P gear, which can cause internal transmission components to jam or get damaged. Especially on slopes, if you only shift to P without engaging the handbrake, the car may slide and impact the transmission, making repairs both troublesome and costly. Don’t cut corners for convenience in daily driving—developing standardized operations can protect the drivetrain and reduce the risk of malfunctions. For example, spending a bit more time adjusting in parking lots will bring greater peace of mind and cost savings in the long run.

[VanAva]

When I first started driving, I struggled with the parking sequence. Later, I learned to first brake to a complete stop, shift to N (Neutral) gear, engage the handbrake to ensure the car doesn't wobble, and then shift to P (Park) gear. This prevents the P gear teeth from getting stuck or the car from rolling on slopes, reducing wear on the transmission. I often park in tight spaces in my neighborhood, and using this method makes the car move more smoothly. It also avoids potential dangers when parking downhill. The process is simple, practical, and suitable for beginners.

[StJoseph]

Usually when parking, I first come to a complete stop, shift to N gear, engage the handbrake, and then shift to P gear. Although my friends say it doesn't matter on flat ground and you can directly shift to P gear, I've read some materials stating that using N gear and the handbrake first helps distribute the weight, while P gear is just the final lock. This can protect the transmission gears from impact damage. There aren't many slopes when driving in the city, but developing this habit makes the car more durable and gives me more peace of mind.