Should You Turn Off the Engine in P or N Gear?
3 Answers
Turn off the engine in P gear, as P stands for Park and N stands for Neutral. It is better to use P gear when turning off the engine. After the car is in the parking position, press the brake, shift the gear lever to N, engage the handbrake, release the foot brake, and then turn off the engine. Finally, push the gear lever into P gear, which also helps protect the transmission. An automatic transmission does not require the driver to manually shift gears; instead, the computer automatically shifts gears based on road and vehicle conditions. Generally, automatic transmission cars have five gear positions, arranged in the basic order: P, R, N, D. Some car models with automatic transmissions also include a manual mode, allowing manual gear shifting without a clutch, enhancing the driving experience.
Having driven for decades, I always make sure to use the P (Park) gear when parking and turning off the engine—it's the most reliable method. The P gear locks the transmission, preventing the car from rolling, especially on slopes. Shutting off the engine in N (Neutral) is risky; if the handbrake isn't fully engaged, the car could roll downhill and cause an accident. I've seen cases where people took the shortcut of using N gear to turn off the engine, only for their car to slide and hit something in the parking lot—quite a hassle. Make it a habit to confirm you're in P gear before shutting off the engine, then engage the handbrake. Safety first—it also protects vehicle components and extends transmission life. That's how you should operate an automatic transmission car to avoid trouble.
When turning off the car, I always choose P gear—it's convenient and safe. P gear directly locks the wheels, preventing the car from moving. N gear is just a neutral position without locking function. If you forget to pull the handbrake after turning off the engine, such as when parking on a slope or by the roadside, the car might roll away and get damaged. A friend of mine had to pay compensation for this exact reason. Automatic cars are designed with P gear specifically for parking. Turning off the engine and shifting to P gear can also avoid minor issues like the key not coming out. It's an easy routine for daily parking—don't follow those who lazily use N gear. Developing good habits is always the right choice.
