Should You Start an Automatic Transmission Car in P or N Gear?

[OGeorge]

Automatic transmission cars should be started in P gear because the vehicle's ignition logic defaults to starting in P gear, and the car cannot be started in N gear. The electronic parking brake is automatically engaged when in P gear. The steps to start an automatic transmission car are: 1. Turn the key to the power position; 2. Press the foot brake and shift the gear from P to N; 3. Release the foot brake and turn the key to the ignition position to start the engine; 4. Press the foot brake, release the handbrake, and shift the gear from N to D; 5. Release the foot brake. Automatic transmission cars have gears P, R, N, D, S, and L, and they work by using planetary gear mechanisms to automatically shift gears based on the degree of throttle pedal pressure and changes in vehicle speed.