Should You Turn Off the Engine or Shift to P Gear First When Parking an Automatic Car?
2 Answers
When parking an automatic car, you should turn off the engine first and then shift to P gear. Here are other details about parking an automatic car: 1. Parking Steps: The correct parking procedure involves first pressing the brake, shifting from D gear to N gear, then engaging the mechanical handbrake or electronic handbrake. This step ensures that all the force is borne by the handbrake. Then, shift from N gear to P gear before turning off the engine. This is the correct parking procedure. 2. Parking on a Slope: When parking on a slope, it is even more important to follow the above sequence. Parking directly from D gear to P gear on a slope can cause significant damage to the transmission, as the transmission's locking mechanism will be subjected to excessive force.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and the sequence for parking an automatic transmission car is quite particular. First, you need to bring the car to a complete stop, keeping your foot firmly on the brake. Then, decisively shift into P (Park) gear. Why? Because the P gear is specifically designed to lock the transmission, preventing the vehicle from moving. After engaging the P gear, you can then turn off the engine. If you do it the other way around—turning off the engine first and then trying to shift into P gear—it might not engage properly, or the internal components of the transmission could endure excessive stress, leading to wear and tear or even damage over time. This is especially important on slopes or uneven roads: stop the car, shift into P gear, engage the parking brake, and finally turn off the engine. I remember when I was younger, I once got lazy and turned off the engine first, and the car almost rolled away—costing me a pretty penny in repairs. Now, I’ve made it a habit to follow the standard procedure every time, which saves hassle and protects the car.
