Should You Start an Automatic Car in P or N Gear?
2 Answers
Automatic cars should be started in N gear. Here is an introduction to the gears of an automatic transmission car: 1. P gear is the parking gear: used when the vehicle is parked for a long time; 2. R gear is the reverse gear: engaged when the vehicle needs to move backward; 3. N gear is the neutral gear: engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine; 4. D gear is the drive gear: when the gear lever is in D gear, the vehicle will automatically shift gears based on throttle opening and speed data; 5. S gear is the sport mode: makes the vehicle drive more sportily; 6. M gear refers to the manual mode: when the gear lever is in M gear, shifting is done manually by the driver; 7. L gear is the low gear: used when the car is moving slowly.
To be honest, I've driven automatic transmission cars for over a decade and always start in P (Park) gear. P gear completely locks the transmission, preventing vehicle movement, while N (Neutral) is just a free gear without any locking function. If you start in N gear on a slope, the car might roll forward or backward when the engine starts—especially if you forget to engage the handbrake—potentially causing a collision. This isn't just my habit; it's standard automotive design. Many vehicles won't even allow engine startup unless the system detects the safety signal from P gear. I've seen a friend accidentally start in N gear in a parking lot, causing the car to roll and scrape against a wall, resulting in costly repairs. Safety first—I recommend making it a habit to always confirm the gear is in P before starting the engine, then proceed with ignition.
