Should You Shift to P or N Gear When Parking an Automatic Transmission Car?
2 Answers
Correct operation sequence for parking an automatic transmission car: On flat ground, after stepping on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a gradual stop, shift the gear to N, then engage the handbrake, and finally turn off the engine. After turning off the engine, shift the gear to P. When parking on a slope, you must shift the gear to N, firmly engage the handbrake, then release the brake, and finally turn off the engine. However, if you choose to shift to P before turning off the engine when parking, it is easy to experience rollback. Although these steps may seem simple, not many people get them right every time. When starting an automatic transmission car, do not stomp on the accelerator abruptly. It is also not advisable to use N gear for coasting in an automatic transmission car, as this can damage the engine and transmission, causing varying degrees of wear and tear. Additionally, a vehicle without power is in a passive state, compromising safety. If the vehicle is parked on flat ground for an extended period without the risk of rolling, you can use N gear for parking to reduce the burden on the car's mechanisms and prolong the lifespan of the internal parking system components.
I've been driving for over a decade. I remember one time I parked on a slope in N gear without engaging the handbrake, and the car slid a short distance, almost hitting a wall. Since then, I've completely changed my habit. When parking, I always shift to P gear because it has an internal locking mechanism that can secure the transmission gears to prevent rolling, making it much more reliable than N gear. N gear is neutral and is only suitable for temporarily relaxing your foot or when using a tow truck—it's really dangerous to use it for parking. Shifting to P gear before turning off the engine also protects the engine and transmission, reducing wear. On steep slopes, it's even more important to park in P gear plus the handbrake for double security and peace of mind. In short, developing the good habit of parking in P gear puts safety first and avoids trouble.
