Should You Use P Gear or N Gear for Long-Term Idle Parking?
2 Answers
For long-term idle parking, use N gear. Long-term idling refers to the engine running without load for an extended period, which can lead to poor heat dissipation, increased emissions, and carbon buildup. Precautions for gear shifting: 1. Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting gears; 2. Do not immediately press the accelerator pedal hard after shifting into gear; 3. The vehicle can only be started in N or P gear; 4. To shift out of P gear, the brake pedal must be pressed; 5. Do not shift into N gear while driving to coast; 6. Do not push into P gear while the vehicle is moving; 7. When changing directions, switching between D and R gears should only be done after the vehicle has come to a complete stop; 8. Placing the gear in N while driving prevents the oil pump from supplying oil properly for lubrication, which can cause the internal components of the transmission to overheat and be damaged.
I've been driving for over a decade. When idling for extended periods, putting the car in P (Park) is definitely the safest option to prevent the vehicle from rolling, especially on slopes. Although N (Neutral) disengages the transmission load, the car could roll away if the brakes are released, potentially causing accidents. Automatic transmissions are specifically designed with P mode for parking purposes. Honestly speaking, prolonged idling wastes fuel and pollutes the air – it's better to simply turn off the engine. Idling beyond a few minutes increases the risk of engine carbon buildup. The most economical and eco-friendly solution is to shut down the engine. Make it a habit to engage the parking brake regularly – it's both safer and protects the braking system.
