Should You Turn Off the Engine in P Gear or Neutral Gear?

[DiSarah]

You should turn off the engine before shifting to P gear. Turning off the engine first and then shifting to P gear helps protect the transmission. The difference between P gear and N gear is that when in P gear, the transmission has engaged gears, which not only helps park the vehicle but also assists in braking. After stopping the vehicle, always shift to P gear and not rely solely on the handbrake in N gear, especially when parking on a slope. Additional details are as follows: 1. P Gear (Parking Gear): The parking gear is used when the vehicle is stationary to prevent it from moving. On steep slopes, it's best to engage the handbrake after shifting to P gear. 2. R Gear (Reverse Gear): R gear is for reversing. To reverse, shift the gear to R. 3. N Gear (Neutral Gear): N gear is neutral, suitable for towing or starting the vehicle. During long waits at traffic lights or in traffic jams, shift to N gear and engage the handbrake. 4. D Gear (Drive Gear): D gear is for driving forward. While driving, keep the gear in D and avoid sudden forced gear changes.

[MaddoxLynn]

I've made it a habit to shift into P (Park) before turning off the engine every time, primarily for safety reasons. The P gear locks the transmission, preventing the vehicle from rolling, especially on slopes or inclined surfaces. If you accidentally turn off the engine in neutral, the car remains movable. If you forget to engage the parking brake, even a slight nudge could cause the car to roll, potentially leading to an accident. Like that time I parked on a steep incline—fortunately, I had engaged P gear, avoiding a potential hazard. Turning off an automatic transmission car without shifting to P may also affect the ignition system, with some vehicles prompting you to reselect the gear. For daily driving, follow this sequence after coming to a complete stop: foot brake, engage parking brake, shift to P, then turn off the engine—don't mix up the order. This protects both yourself and the surroundings. Consistently following this routine can also extend the lifespan of your parking brake and reduce maintenance frequency. New drivers should pay special attention—developing good habits early makes it harder to make mistakes later.

[WalterRose]

From a mechanical protection perspective, parking, turning off the engine, and shifting to P (Park) mode are essential steps. Although occasionally it may work to turn off the engine in neutral, it poses risks to the automatic transmission. The internal locking mechanism of the P mode secures the gears, preventing uneven force distribution after the engine is turned off. Frequently turning off the engine in neutral and then starting it again can cause sudden gear engagement with high impact, potentially wearing out components. Having driven for many years, I've seen owners neglect proper procedures, leading to premature transmission failure and costly repairs. The car's design intends for the P mode to serve as a protective function when parked, so it should be fully utilized. Even if you turn off the engine in neutral on a flat road, you must quickly engage the parking brake, but it's far less reliable than using the P mode. In short, following standard procedures ensures greater vehicle durability.

[DelJasmine]

The instructor taught me that parking safely requires shifting to P (Park) before turning off the engine. If you turn off the engine in neutral (N), the car might still roll, such as on a slope. I've noticed that in automatic transmission cars, sometimes the key can't be removed unless shifted to P, as there's a protective mechanism in the system. It's best for beginners to develop the habit of shifting to P every time after stopping to avoid forgetting this step. Simply put, P is like locking the car in place, while neutral allows it to move freely, posing a risk of losing control after the engine is off. Don't skip this step in daily driving.